Graph by Ken Georgie Matthew – Creative Commons License

I am a bundle of needs and wants.

I am also free.

I have a mind and will of my own and the freedom to exercise it.

We have needs, wants, and opinions and these all serve a purpose, but the purpose they serve is higher than our needs wants and opinions.

No sooner than I become fully aware of that, a fellow named Paul gives me something else to consider. His call the ultimate actualization is off the charts.

Here is the stance: I may not and will not judge my brother on minor points of disagreement, but I will be harder on myself.

I have much freedom in Christ, more than I can handle! However, I do not need to use it all and I never need to flaunt it, especially if it will make my brother or sister stumble over something with which they are still struggling?

My brothers and sister are more important than me getting everything that is coming to me. Their welfare and spiritual progress are more important than my spiritual convenience and freedom.

I think this is what Paul is trying to bag into our stubborn heads.

"Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding." (Romans 14:13-19 ESV)

AND BY THE WAY …. Even if we are doing good things, if we do them the wrong way (not by faith and, I may add, love), they can be sin FOR US (ME!).

Motives are important to God.

" Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." (Romans 14:20-23 ESV)

Therefore, I am motivated by the the Other and by the other brother or other sister.

I am motivated by God's glory and my neighbor's good. This is love.

This is the faith that Jesus lived and taught.

This is the way if we will follow Jesus.

We have needs, wants, and opinions and these all serve a purpose, but the purpose they serve is higher than our needs wants and opinions.