OFFEND THY BROTHER

Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Nothing that God has made is unclean of itself. It is how we use what He has made that is the problem. We cannot edify one another, while quarreling and trying to set ourselves up to be such good and wonderful children of God. We are destroying those around us and may cause that person to stumble and fall away from the Lord. Is that our duty of service to God? No, I don't think so. By our actions of false accusations and by giving in to the lusts of our flesh we are showing the world that we are not of God.

We all cry out for peace around us. Do we follow that which makes for peace? Such as meekness, humility, self-denial, and love? Most of us aren't capable of carrying out these four reasons. We use love as a way to hurt others. We can't stop tongues from speaking evil, but we must not give them any reasons. The good we do often comes to be spoken of in an evil manner because we use lawful things in an uncharitable and selfish manner. We are to love, show charity and as much as possible be at peace with our brothers. For us it is the joy of the Holy Ghost who resides in our hearts which gives us faith and courage to overcome. God is most pleased with those who are most pleased with Him. We serve God best when thinking only good of our brothers.

Finally, let us remember these three directions in this respect: First, to receive the weak, but not for the discussion of questions that have to be settled; second, not to judge our brother, since he is Christ's servant, not ours; and every one must give account of himself to God; third, to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves; to walk in the spirit of love, and, if we are in a higher state, to shew it by receiving one another, as Christ has received us, to the glory of God, which eclipses man and his petty superiority, and which kindles charity and makes it ardent, earnest in seeking the good of others-taking us so out of self, and beyond little things, that we are able to adapt ourselves to others, where the will of God and His glory are not in question.

God's blessings to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES: King James Bible, Commentaries from http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=drby&b=45&c=14

Genesis 20:9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. Matthew 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Just a few of the 50 scriptures on offend(ed).