Love Limits Liberty

"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister."
 Romans 14:13 (NIV)

When does exercising your freedom become the wrong thing to do?

Disney World has many admirable approaches to hospitality. One of them is this iron-clad rule for their staff: They will do nothing that would cause a child to quit believing in Mickey Mouse. For example, you’ll never see Mickey in two different places at the same time because they're committed to preserving that child's wonder. 

Paul applies this same protective principle to stronger believers. You may have the right to go watch whatever you want on Netflix. But if exercising your freedoms causes a weaker believer to violate their conscience, you're no longer acting in love.

This is what it means to not put a stumbling block in another’s way—love limits liberty. Each believer should be more concerned about loving their brother or sister than exercising their own freedom. If you're having dinner with a recovering alcoholic, love doesn't order wine.

I personally don't drink and never will. But I don't stand in judgment of believers who do. If I condemned others for drinking, I'd become the legalistic brother Paul warns against.

Before you exercise your freedom, ask: Will this unite or divide? Will it build a bridge or a barrier? Will it draw people to Jesus or drive them away?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your loving kindness toward me, when I was weak–and when I still am. Help me use my freedom in Christ to love others well. When love should limit my liberty, give me wisdom to choose love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.