Title Don't stumble
Content □ What does it mean to stumble?
Has anyone ever stumbled in believing in Jesus because of me? Has anyone in your family, friends, or co-workers stumbled because of you and turned away from God? When you do evangelism, you can easily meet people who say they left the church not because they hate Jesus, but because people who believe in Jesus don't want to see them. However, in verses 1 and 2 of the text, the word stumble appears repeatedly. The original meaning of the word “stumbling block” is a snare or a trap set for catching a bird or beast. Therefore, to stumble refers to an act that causes a brother to stumble or sin. So let's think about the specific things that make people stumble and sin.
The first is false teaching.
At the time of Jesus, the Pharisees prevented them from accepting Jesus as their Savior by teaching that they can be saved by keeping the law and working. And he persuaded and persecuted the believers to turn them away from the faith. (Matthew 23:15) Even today, there are many people around who make people stumble and sin through their false teachings.
Second, it is to have a negative view of God and the church.
Ask those who left the church today. Why did you leave the church? Many people answer this way. They say it is because of religious hypocrisy. It was disgusting to see that life at church and life at home, life at church and life at work were so different. And they say that they left because of the curse at the pulpit and the lies and material tests among members of the church. In this way, hypocrisy, lies, and deceit not only hurt the hearts of the weak members, but also cause them to have a negative view of God and eventually leave the church.
Third, by making us fall into the temptations of sin.
Even today, Satan is causing the saints to stumble through the temptation of worldly sins such as alcohol, gambling, pornographic sites, and adult PC rooms. Therefore, as Christians, whatever we do, we should do what is virtuous and beneficial to others.
□ Punishment for those who stumble
Verse 2 speaks of the punishment for those who stumble. “If he should cause one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for him to have a millstone tied around his neck and thrown into the sea.”
The soft millstone is a rotary millstone with a diameter of about 2 m, and is made in two pairs with a thickness of about 50 centimeters. Since this millstone weighed several tons, it was turned by cattle and horses. But the Lord says that it would be better for him who causes his brother to stumble, for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and be thrown into the sea. Then why does the Lord view the sin of causing a believer to stumble as such a heinous sin? This is because it is a sin that makes in vain God's providence of salvation from sin by the blood of Christ and the grace of the Holy Spirit. Because it becomes rebellion against God's love. The punishment for those who stumble is so terrifying. Therefore, we must not, in any way, cause others to stumble. Regardless of whether it is a sin or not, I must make sure that no one stumbles because of my words, actions, and mistakes.
□ Be careful with yourselves
Verse 3 begins with the words, “Take care of yourselves.” Because stumbling brings such a terrible judgment, it means to look back on yourself in order not to commit the sin of stumbling. This is because we tend to take the word as a word that has nothing to do with us even when we hear it. Even when it comes to family problems. We always think of the person who made us stumble. I only think of those who hurt me, those who led me by teaching me wrong. I only think of the person who tempted me to fall into sin. I only think that I have stumbled. I only think of the wounds I received. But there are people who stumble because of me. Obviously, there were also wounds that I inflicted on others. Therefore, before blaming and condemning others, you should take a look at yourself.
□ Be vigilant and forgive
Jesus, who told us not to stumble, suddenly says, “Be on guard and forgive.
“Watch yourselves, if your brother sins, rebuke him; if he repents, forgive him” (verse 3).
Then why is Jesus suddenly dealing with the problem of stumbling and then dealing with the problem of reproof and forgiveness? This is because reproof and forgiveness must be done appropriately to avoid causing a brother to stumble. Jesus endures and does not want to be ignorant of the actions of a sinful brother. If a brother sees his brother commit a crime and no one rebukes him, the brother will not only stumble forever, but other people will also stumble when they see his brother. Therefore, even for the unity and holiness of the community, we must rebuke our brothers when they commit sins.
In addition to reproof, forgiveness is needed to avoid causing a brother to stumble. It's not just about reprimanding. Forgiveness is needed. When there is forgiveness, the community of faith can become one. When there is forgiveness, I can avoid stumbling myself. By the way, forgiveness has a prerequisite. The Bible does not tell us to forgive casually. What, then, is the first prerequisite for forgiveness? It is forgiveness in Christ. (Colossians 3:13)
Forgiveness in Christ means that I forgive others as the Lord has forgiven me. That's right. Forgiveness can be done in Christ by those who have experienced the love of Christ.
Second, to repent is to forgive. Verses 3 and 4 say that if you repent twice, forgive! Why should we forgive when we repent? For if we forgive those who continue to sin without stopping, we condone the sin and encourage it. Third, forgive without limit. Jesus tells us in verse 4 that we must forgive at least seven times a day. Whether it be seven times a day, or seventy seven times a day, over several days, it means to forgive the same and unlimitedly. It is to forgive beyond the number and degree of crime. Forgiveness has no limits. We have no right to limit forgiveness.
Dear saints, Forgiveness is the hardest and most difficult, yet we must forgive. Forgiveness is God's command and God's will. Because when we forgive, the door of heaven opens, the door of prayer opens, and we can restore what we lost.