Getting along in the family of faith

Principles for Unity in the Fellowship (Rom 14:1-12)

As a follow up on the admonition to “repay the debt of loving others,” Paul discusses the issue of unity within the family of faith. Some of the Roman Christians were struggling in this area of unity, and Paul addresses principles that will guide all believers in navigating the “gray areas” of Christian living.

1st Principle: Recognize there are no second-class believers (Romans 14:1-3)

Explanation: The issue in this 1st century Church involved 2 groups of believers - Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. Some of the Jewish Christians are described in this text as those “weak in the faith,” while some of the Gentile Christians were being viewed as “strong in the faith.” [The categories could be interchangeable - Paul was a Jewish Christian who was strong in his faith]

The discussion revolved around the individual’s conscience in certain areas of conduct. The issues that Paul specifically addresses are dietary considerations and recognition of special feast days. [NOTE: these issues are non-essential in regards to the Gospel. These issues are also not sinful in and of themselves]

These “gray areas” were a reflection of the individual’s conscience in regards to the freedom given in salvation. One believer felt that he or she needed to continue to observe the specific feast days of the OT that pointed to Jesus. Other believers (most likely Gentiles) saw no need to observe these days and simply ignored them.

Illustrate: Some Christians do not participate in any type of Halloween activities due to knowing the evil origins of the holiday while other Christians observe alternatives to the day.

Argument: The point Paul is making under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is that regardless of position on the “gray areas” we each have a responsibility to maintain unity in the body. Those who are living in freedom do not have the right to treat those who are “weaker in the faith” as second-class” or lesser Christians. Nor do those weaker in the faith have the right to legalistically charge those who are experiencing a greater freedom in Christ as being in sin. We are all equal at the foot of the Cross, and we are equally blessed to be in the Body.

The differing positions we adopt are based on convictions from the same source: the Word of God. Paul is informing us that believers can arrive at different positions, in the areas of non-essentials, and our response is not to be argumentative. It is not our job to convince the other person that he or she is wrong and we are right (or the other way around)

Illustrate: Using the same set of verses, believers arrive at different positions concerning the Rapture. I personally know solid, conservative pastors who range from pre-trib to post-trib to amillennial. Everyone of us agrees the Bible teaches that Jesus will Return in bodily form and set up His Kingdom

Application: We are called to accept, not to simply tolerate

2nd Principle: Believers are not allowed to pass judgment on other believers (Romans 14:4-6)

Explanation: Paul continues with his call to unity and mutual acceptance by issuing a prohibition in the area of passing judgment on fellow believers. Paul reminds us that as believers we all belong to the same Master, and that Jesus will empower each of His children to persevere in this life and in the next. He does not need our help!

Argument: A word on judgment is required at this point. I have observed in the past that, in my opinion, the most abused verse in the Bible is Matthew 7:1 which states “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Jesus is NOT prohibiting us as believers in making judgments on important issues; rather He is prohibiting us from judging others with a spirit of condemnation. Jesus calls us to make use of the Word and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to discern important issues that are vital to our spiritual health and well-being (cf Matt 7:15-20 re: false prophets; and 1 John 4:1 where we are instructed to “test the spirits”)

We must be discerning; we must not judge a brother or sister as to shun them from the family because we cannot know the intentions of the heart.

3rd Principle: Realize the other believer answers to God, not to you (Romans 14:7-9)

Explanation: Paul refocuses the discussion back to the believers union with Christ. When he declares, “none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself,” he is not talking about some philosophical insight of “no man is an island,” but he is rather emphasizing each believer’s union with Christ and corresponding accountability to God.

When a believer commits an action of which you do not approve - relax, it is not your concern because he or she will answer to God [remember: we are only taking about gray areas that do not involve sin]

Illustrate: Some Churches have fellowship halls that are completely detached and separate from the Worship center because eating anywhere near worship is not honoring to the Lord. Some Churches only make use of Southern Gospel style music while others use contemporary music while others use only organ selections from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Argument: Paul is stressing the direction of the accountability issue - fellow believers are accountable to God, not to each other in these areas. As I mentioned earlier, we are not to judge others because we cannot know the intent of the heart. Well, God can and does know our hearts and therefore He can and does judge rightly. If another Christian is involved in an activity that we disapprove and it really is an issue that involves sin, God will handle it. He doesn’t need our help.

4th Principle: Live in light of the coming judgment (Romans 14:10-12)

Explanation: Paul again brings up how foolish it is for someone with a limited outlook to assume the place of a judge for someone else who shares that same limited outlook. Note, that Paul is describing the foolishness of a brother passing judgment on a fellow brother.

He highlights the foolishness of such an action by reminding all of the believers that each one would in fact come under judgment. Pretty silly to judge someone else when you are going to get judged!

Some believers don’t give much thought to standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ, but we should all give serious consideration to this. While this will not be a judgment for sin (that will be for the unbelievers at the Great White Throne Judgment [Rev. 20:11-15]) it will still be the time that we give an account to Jesus for how we have served Him in this life.

The Bema is described in 1 Cor 3:10-15, 2 Cor 5:10; Matt 12:36 and it will be the time in which each of us are rewarded or suffer loss for the opportunities we have been given. One area of judgment will involve how we assisted or detracted from the unity of the fellowship.

When we realize we will give an account for our thoughts and intentions it should give us pause in how we judge others.