Twin Peaks

The scripture for today is Romans 14:13

Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

A heart that desires everyone to be saved would not behave in a way that leads or causes anyone to sin. Our scripture for today is instructing us, to rather than pronounce judgment on a brother or sister, lay no stumbling-block before them. A stumbling-block is anything that might cause a brother or sister to sin. "A stumbling-block literally means anything laid in a man's path, over which he may fall. In the Scriptures, however, the word is used commonly in a figurative sense, to denote anything which shall cause him to sin, as sin is often represented by falling." Albert Barnes  To wound the feeling or the conscience of a brother or sister in a way that drives them to sin is reprehensible before God. He asks us to judge ourselves and determine that we will not be guilty of such an offense. 

"The business of our lives is not to please ourselves but to please God. That is true Christianity, which makes Christ all in all. Though Christians are of different strength, capacities, and practices in lesser things, yet they are all the Lord's; all are looking and serving, and approving themselves to Christ. He is Lord of those that are living, to rule them; of those that are dead, to revive them, and raise them up. Christians should not judge or despise one another, because both the one and the other must shortly give an account. A believing regard to the judgment of the great day would silence rash judging. Let every man search his own heart and life; he that is strict in judging and humbling himself, will not be apt to judge and despise his brother. We must take heed of saying or doing things which may cause others to stumble or to fall. The one signifies a lesser, the other a greater degree of offence; that which may be an occasion of grief or of guilt to our brother." Matthew Henry  "Speak no evil one of another, brethren. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge." James 4:11  

God bless you as you continue in His service.

Tim