Mar 17 2002
Whose Fault Is It?
Moody-Leon United Methodist Church
Eddie Smart
Romans 14:12-23
“Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another. 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. If your brother or sister is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. 20Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat; it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble. The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve. But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”
John Wayne starred in a western movie in 1971 called “Big Jake.” It was a story about a grandson that was kidnaped and held for ransom. Naturally John Wayne is the young boy’s grandfather. He joins forces with estranged sons to get the boy back. There are three scenes in this movie that parallel each other.
As Jake McCandle, the John Wayne character, and his sons are in route with the money, the lead kidnapper, played by Richard Boone, enters their camp on night. Boone is concerned that they might be hijacked and loose the money. He says to Big Jake, “The thing is this…You got to deliver that box to us. You got to put it right in our hands. You understand! Good intentions won’t by you anything but that boys corpse. Its just as simple as that. Somebody takes that box away from you, we won’t be understanding. We won’t wait. We won’t try again. I’ll just send that boys body back to you… You understand?”
A little later in the movie, one of the kidnappers comes to take the McCandles to the exchange place. He says, “Lets go. I’ll lead you there. ‘cepting if you don’t have the money, or if I ain’t back within 18 minutes from now, or if someone follows us to the meetin’ place, or tries to keep us from gettin’ away with the money, we’ll kill the little boy.”
And then when they get to the place where the exchange is to occur, Boone kneels down to take a look at the million dollars. It turns out to be newspaper and Big Jake says to Boone, “Now you understand. Anything goes wrong-anything at all-your fault, my fault, nobody’s fault, it don’t matter, I’m gonna [get you]. Its as simple as that. No matter what else happens. No matter who gets killed. I’m gonna [get you].
In all three scenes, we hear the same message. It doesn’t matter if it is your fault, your going to pay. It is you who will be held accountable. Paul says to the church in Roman, “each of us will be accountable to God.” He then continues to expand on this theme. As William Barclay put it, “Paul’s advice is clear.” We are expected to think of everything, not only as it affects us, but also as it affects others.(1) We have a special responsibility for our actions because they reach far beyond ourselves.
There was a time I really enjoyed a good John Wayne movie. I must say that today I like to watch them, but feel guilty as I enjoy them. For example, in the movie I just mentioned we are introduced to a father who first abandoned his sons and later offers them instructions with his fists. Time and again he is slugging his sons in an effort to get his point across. Through out his movies, he treats women in belittling, insulting, overbearing, rude, and thoughtless ways. It happens so frequently, it is a John Wayne trademark.
Prime time television is full of sexual references that are leading our country deeper into immorality. We elect a President that leads our country into sexual immorality. We tell our children it is ok to cheat the insurance company because they have a lot of money. Some of our children are taught that a good worship service is worth a dollar. We let the world know that Sundays are for sports, recreation, shopping, catching up on work around the house and making more money. Do you remember the time that a Christian would be embarrassed to be caught mowing their lawn on a Sunday morning?
We disagree with what the preacher says, does, or fails to do and show our dissatisfaction through our giving or our attendance. We dislike the actions of a church member and decide not to be a part of that church. We get upset and abandon the worship of God. Paul says we are held accountable.
All the Roman Christians did was eat a little meat. Paul agreed that it was even ok for Christians to eat the meat. You see the meat came from temples to other gods. Sacrifices to those gods. Those temples became the “Meat markets” of that day. Christians concluded that eating the meat would not effect their relationship with “The One God.” It was not a sin to eat that meat.
The problem came when new Christians from a Jewish background saw the eating of the meat as wrong, as sinful. Paul said if we do anything that does harm to the faith of another, we should stop. It is not “every man for himself.” Paul claims that we have a responsibility for the faith of others.
I remember that Florida was one of the first states to go to “no fault” insurance. Each person would be responsible for damages to their own vehicle in an accident. No need for uninsured motorist insurance in a “no fault” situation. There are no drawn out law suits over who is at fault in an accident. The individual’s own insurance would take care of the damages.
Scripture is saying, “That is not the way it works in God’s kingdom.” We cannot claim that I am responsible only for the way my actions affect me. When our right actions cause harm to someone’s faith, that action is wrong. Whether we like it or not, Christianity is a communal faith. That’s why it is important to join other Christians in worship and service. That’s why it is important to care for one another. That’s why it is important for our actions to build up the faith of others and not tear it down. Paul says we are to “Pursue what makes…for mutual upbuilding.”
While our faith is a communal faith, it is also a very personal faith. Christianity is about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Each of us is accountable to Jesus Christ for the life we live. Scripture makes it clear that Jesus will be our judge.
Look at the person on your right and say, “Christ died for you.” Look at the person on your left and say, “Christ died for you.” Look at the person in front of you and then behind you and say, “Christ died for you.” NOW think about the person who hurt you the most this week. Say to yourself, “That person is one for whom Christ died.” Think about the person who makes you angry and say to yourself, “That person is one for whom Christ died.” Eddie, think about those persons who left up their political ads after the elections. Remember, they too are persons for whom Christ died.
Jesus Christ died on a cross because of my sins. But not just for me. Jesus died for my very best friend. Jesus died for my very worst enemy. Jesus died for the person who likes me the most. Jesus died for the person who likes me the least. Jesus died for the nicest person here today. Jesus died for the meanest person we know.
And yet… Paul says do not let what you do cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died.
The scripture says, “And while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
As James Forbes puts it: Aren’t you glad that Jesus does not use the Zenith method. It is not necessary for the quality to go in before the name goes on.(2) It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. He has graciously given us that name even before transforming us.
1. William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible Series: The Letter to the Romans, p 190.
2. James Forbes, The Holy Spirit and Preaching, Beecher Lectures, 1986.