ARE YOU A STUMBLING BLOCK?

ARE YOU A STUMBLING BLOCK?

"Jesus said, ‘A person who believes in me may not seem important. But you should never make that person do wrong things. Do not do that! It would be better for you if someone tied a big stone round your neck. Then you would sink deep down into the sea and die. Some things in this world will cause people to do wrong things. You can be sure that bad things will happen. But God will punish the person who makes these bad things happen" - Matthew 18:6-7 (EASY)

A missionary asked Mahatma Gandhi: “Mr. Gandhi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is that you appear to so adamantly reject becoming his follower?”. Gandhi replied, “Oh, I don’t reject your Christ. I love your Christ. It’s just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Apparently Gandhi's rejection of Christianity grew out of an incident that happened when he was a young man practicing law in South Africa. He had become attracted to the Christian faith, had studied the Bible and the teachings of Jesus, and was seriously exploring becoming a Christian. And so he decided to attend a church service. As he came up the steps of the large church where he intended to go, a white South African elder of the church barred his way at the door. “Where do you think you’re going, kaffir?” the man asked Gandhi in a belligerent tone of voice. Gandhi replied, “I’d like to attend worship here.” The church elder snarled at him, “There’s no room for Kaffirs in this church. Get out of here or I’ll have my assistants throw you down the steps.” From that moment, Gandhi said, he decided to adopt what good he found in Christianity, but would never again consider becoming a Christian if it meant being part of the church. (Source: pursuingchrist.com)

It is obvious that many believers in this generation are like the church elder in the above story. Many weak ones have abandoned the narrow path because of our ungodly attitude and disposition? Many people who should have been dining with the King of kings today are now languishing in the city of Lodebar like Mephibosheth because of our unguided comments and unchrist-like nature. We have become huge stumbling blocks turning people over to the path of damnation and hell. It appears we do not seem to understand one of the most emphatic, sober warning recorded in Matthew 18:6-7 on the subject matter. Jesus affirms that every soul is  extremely valuable to God. We must be sensitive to the vulnerability of others and extremely cautious not to cause anyone to stumble or lose his/her way. 

"And so each of us shall give an account of himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God. Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother" Romans 14:12-13 (Amplified)

Dear friend, are you a stumbling block in the way of others? Do you know the number of people that are now lame spiritually, maritally, financially, emotionally because of your actions, comments and dispositions? Do you know the number of first timers and potential convert like Gandhi that you have chased away from church? Some sisters do not seem to know the number of people that they have assassinated with their demonic AK47 rifle of sensitive parts revealing dresses they wore. May I say congratulations to you! You have succeeded  in making many crippled Mephibosheth out of the healthy sons of Jonathan that God brought across your path. Like Mahatma Gandhi, many people had already vowed never to be a Christian because of those unchrist-like attitude and character of yours? This is quite pathetic and I urge you to please repent and pled for mercy today! 

This short poem titled "A Stumbling block or a Stepping-Stone" reemphasizes how powerful our influence can  be in building or destroying the destiny of others. Please meditate on this poem and trust God to make you a stepping-stone and not a stumbling block in the way of others till Christ returns. 

A STUMBLING BLOCK OR A STEPPING STONE by R. L. Sharpe

Isn't it strange how princes and kings,
and clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
and common people, like you and me,
are builders for eternity?

Each is given a list of rules;
a shapeless mass; a bag of tools.
And each must fashion, ere life is flown,
A stumbling block, or a Stepping-Stone.
           

My prayer for you and my humble self is that we shall never be a stumbling block in the way of others. God will use us mightily to restore everyone that we may have caused to stumble back into the fold of the Great Shepherd.

Good morning and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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