| Devotional Hours with the Bible |
Chapter 23 |
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We must see to it that never through our knowledge, that is through our selfishness in determining not to give up a privilege, does “he that is weak” perish, “the brother for whose sake Christ died.” It does not mean that we tempt the other to some great sin, but that we forget that he may be influenced by our example. Thus we see the importance of example. We dare not strut through this world, doing just as we please, as if it mattered not, as if it were no one’s affair. We must walk softly, ever asking ourselves what the effect of our walk will be upon others.
Saint Paul laid down a principle for all time when he said, “If meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore.” Elsewhere he says, “It is good not to eat flesh, not to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby they brother stumbleth.” This was Paul’s application of the law of love. He would rather, as long as he lived, forego the exercise of a personal right, the indulgence of a personal taste, than run the risk of causing another to sin. It is good not to drink wine, however harmless one may think it to be, if it may make another stumble. Here we have a good temperance motive. Suppose that a man is satisfied that he has a right to drink moderately, and that he can do so with perfect safety to himself and without sinning; but suppose also that his example may cause others who are weaker to drink, and that they will drink to the destruction of their souls. What does this principle of St. Paul’s say to this man? Very clearly, that he should forego his liberty forever rather than cause his brother to do wrong. The application is very wide, referring to every possible cause: “It is good not … to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth.”
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