Back to island 14 we go, having looked at 6, 8, 10, and 14 once already. Let’s go to the end of the chapter, although you should read all of 14 for context.
Romans 14:21
“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.”
God has given us a huge amount of freedom. That’s what being “moral free agents” means! We have a will, options, abilities and opportunities galore. But at the end of it all (the end of our life) we must give an account for the things done in these bodies, whether good or bad (verse 12). Paul talked about wine in this chapter – always a great “gray area” subject to discuss. To do a full survey of the Bible on the subject of wine and the morality of consumption would take a bit of time – save that for your own personal study time. Suffice it to say, Paul made it clear in the verse above when it is TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE to consume anything! Here are a few examples of being a hindrance:
Should a missionary to Muslims eat pork?
Should someone reaching out to Mormons serve tea or coffee?
(Now let’s get inside the church) Should someone consume alcoholic beverages around brothers or sisters who are recovering from alcohol addiction?
Reflect on this passage and then restate the principle that Paul advocated here.
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.