In our last visit we studied what Paul said in Romans 14:1-15:13 about our being responsible before God regarding our choices on disputable matters.  Love demands we be sensitive to any distress our freedom in Christ might bring to a weaker brother. 

He amplifies this warning further in 14:20-21, "Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.  It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall."  Wow! Those are hard words.  Paul is saying that something might be ok for you, but if you love your brother who believes it is not ok, you should take care to not cause him to stumble.  Don't destroy what God is doing in your brother's life by selfishly doing your own thing. 

God is at work in every believer's life.  If you are aware of someone who does not understand the freedom you have in Christ regarding disputable matters don't disregard them.  Take time to help them understand what God's Word says on the matter.  Help them to see what Paul says in 14:14, "As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself."  It takes faith to accept this. 

That's why Paul says in verses 22-23, "Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.  But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin." 

Until someone understands this freedom we need to take great care not to confuse them by our allowances and cause them to stumble.