Do Not Cause Another to Stumble
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. Rom 14:22
Hast thou faith?... Question 87. The last question in Romans. The word faith here means the full persuasion that one is right, lawful, and sanctioned by God in this act.
Happy is he... Do not condemn yourself over anything not specifically forbidden in Scripture by plain command. Do not permit your conscience to be swayed by wrong religious background or constant religious turmoil over doubtful things (Rom. 14:22).
Paul urges the strong believer to understand his liberty, enjoy it, and keep it between God and himself. The strong believer maintains a healthy conscience because he does not give a weak believer a cause to stumble.
Concerning personal convictions in areas where different views exist, Paul concluded, So whatever you believe about these things (lit., “The faith that you have,” or “Do you have faith?”) keep between yourself and God. A Christian must not insist on influencing a believer with tighter scruples to change his ways. It should be something “in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5), for he lives “to the Lord” (Rom. 14:8). Paul considered a Christian like himself who had a clear conscience on such matters blessed (lit., “happy”).
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