Romans 14

The Importance of Unity

Some activities we can know without a doubt are wrong, because scripture clearly condemns them, other activities we can know are right because scripture clearly commands them, but there are areas that are not clearly defined in scripture, what do we do with those?

We need guidance, so let’s see how the Word teaches that we can disagree on non-essentials and still have unity in the church.

Romans 14:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

So back in the early church one of these ‘grey areas’ that pulled a lot of attention was dietary, specifically here in Rome, mostly Gentiles, the issue was eating meat that was sold in the market that had been sacrificed to an ‘idol probably, or in regards to the Jews wanting to stick to their legalistic dietary laws and abstain from certain meats. either way...

Matter of fact, the first major church council meeting (found in Acts 15) addressed this very issue, because the Jewish Christians wanted to force circumcision onto the Gentile believers, the church leaders found it well to simply encourage the believers that it would be good to stay away from meat offered to idols. Not a you must do this in order to be saved or righteous or anything, but because especially in the gentile dominate areas, there was much idolatry, and so out of love for the Jewish brethren, it seemed wise and best to encourage those to just stay away from that meat to not cause the weak legalistic believers to stumble.

It’s important to notice who Paul is addressing, he refers to the ‘stronger’ believers, they are the ones who are to set the tone by RECEIVING the weaker ones, which verse 2 tells us, surprisingly to some, that the weaker one is the legalistic one.

In this particular case, the weak Christians in Rome were the ones who were not able to enjoy their freedom in Christ because of strict rule keeping, thinking they COULD NOT eat meat

Romans 14:3 KJV 1900

3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

In these types of situations, the tendencies are that the more mature Christians despise the weak ones while the weaker ones judge the strong ones. The reason we should not despise or judge is given; because God has received him, that fellow believer that we are judging, God has accepted him, even though he or she may be messed up in our opinions, and that brother or sister that we are despising for not living in the full freedom Christ has for them, God has also received that believer, even with all their legalistic problems.

And this, this is where our UNITY IS, and should always be, WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY GOD! amen.

I could end the study right here, and we should spend much time considering the connection here just in these first 3 verse.

Go back to verse 1 there and tell me, what is the exhortation? What is the command given? To receive… WHY??

Look at the end of verse 3… Because GOD has received… Scripture is constantly hammering this point home, that we ought to receive, love, forgive, and extend mercy toward others, ESPECIALLY those in the family of GOD, BECAUSE GOD HAS RECEIVED you, HE has forgiven, loved, and extended mercy towards both you AND that crazy christian brother or sister over there. GOD HAS RECEIVED THEM!

When we lose sight of this, that is when we fall into the nonsense of judging and tearing down the body rather than building up

amazing, all that profound revelation that can transform our lives and attitudes and perspectives essentially wrapped up in these 4 little words that we can tend to gloss over: “God has received him” so should we.

Romans 14:4 KJV 1900

4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Any Christian tempted to judge another believer should then face Paul’s question here… Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?

You’ve heard the joke i’m sure, that if you have 2 Jews in a room you have 3 opinions, but I suspect that when it comes to judging the church you can trade the word Jew there with the word Christian, it’s unfortunate, that we have obsessed over gossiping and judging other believers based on OUR OWN OPINIONS, THAT HAVE NO CLEAR SCRIPTURAL GROUNDS.

Forcing convictions onto other believer’s concerning ‘grey area’ issues is still rampant within the church today, and it is wrong. I think there is something deep down in our human sinful nature that just wants everyone else to see things the way that we do and if someone doesn’t we instantly begin to despise or judge them.

How boring that would be to have a world full of people that thought exactly like I did.

At the end of the day, I am not your master, and you are not mine. GOD is the master of both the weak and the strong Christian. It is before HIM that we live our lives in faith.

Romans 14:5–6 KJV 1900

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

So meat was a major one believers disagreed on, and the observing of special days was another.

We can plainly see here in v.5 that Paul’s concern was not that 1 person was right and the other wrong, but that each man be FULLY CONVINCED in his own mind.

2 of the most famous Christians in the Victorian era in England were Charles Spurgeon and Joseph Parker, both might preachers of the gospel.

Early in their ministries they fellowshipped and even exchanged pulpits with each other, but eventually they had a disagreement that even made it to the newspapers!

Spurgeon had accused Parker of being unspiritual because he attended the local theatre, interesstingly enough, Spurgeon was well known for smoking cigars, a practice many believers would condemn. Who was right and who was wrong? Perhaps both of them were wrong.

Me personally, I find it a lot easier to sympathize with a believer that has less freedom than I do, compassion towards a weaker one seems easier to me than trying to not judge someone who has broader conviction than I do......

I think we like to thing we have the perfect balance of freedom and conviction, but then someone else comes around who has seemingly even more freedom than I do, and I begin to think; “Can they really be a Christian”?

This is when we should stop and consider the grey area, and the fact that it is before GOD, NOT ME, that other believer’s are choosing to either enjoy or refrain from certain freedoms.

Once again, believe it or not, the emphasis is on LOVE. Love for the church. Not just a sympathetic or compassionate feely kind of love, but a sacrificial one

Romans 14:7–9 KJV 1900

7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

Verse 8 uses the word “Lord” 3 times there. That is the emphasis, Who has Lordship in our lives?

If the answer is me me me, than surely I will fail to heed these scriptures, set aside my own pride and convictions, and sacrifice for the sake of loving the church.

BUT, if Jesus Christ has Lordship, we are able then to give up, deny ourselves, and follow His example of REAL LOVE. Love that has powerful action behind it, willful choice of laying down in humble service, putting those we love and their needs above our own.

This should be a great encouragement to us, that our success in the Christian life does not depend on the opinions or attitudes of other Christians. God is the judge

One great example of this is found in John 21 15-22

John 21:15–22 KJV 1900

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

I want you to notice the end of V19 there, Jesus’ 2 words to Peter… Follow me, then we get to v 21 and we see Peter is all concerned about John, saying; ‘what about this guy’?

And what was Jesus’ response? He simply told Peter the same 2 words as before. Follow me.

It’s that simple folks. This is what I meant by Lordship, this is priority.

Never said it was EASY, but it is profoundly simple. Look to Jesus, Serve HIM, Follow HIM, LIVE, EAT BACON, DON’T EAT BACON, GO TO THE BEACH, DON’T GO TO THE BEACH, WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT UNTO THE LORD.

Colossians 3:23 KJV 1900

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

I’ve had some good talks with my wife about this stuff, how as human beings we tend to just want people to think exactly like we do, because, well, we think we’re all that, all sound minded and having the best perspective. This brings up two problems;

We are always trying to push our opinions on everyone else and unfortunately, if we’re not careful, we even use the scripture to try to push our own agenda...

Others are always trying to push their opinions on us, and sometimes even using the scriptures to justify it.

Romans 14:10–12 KJV 1900

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Nuff said. I will not be giving an account to you or this guy or that guy. period. It’ll be to the Lord, so what does that make you do?

You see when people try to make others change, it doesn’t cement in, it doesn’t last. And even if it does, it’s coming from the place of a fickle human being with flaws, prone to err. But when God’s Spirit works in a heart, His Word speaks to someone, and then they change. That lasts, because it’s for God, I know He has spoken to me about ridding this out of my life or changing my attitude or behavior in these areas, thought processes, you name it. Now I WANT to change, and I’m given the power to change, because it’s not founded on some stuck up legalistic’s opinion about what being perfect should look like, or some rebellious liberal who has no reverence. It’s founded on the Word, and the Holy Author, WHO HIMSELF has given us all things pertaining to life in godliness, for it is written, not that words of men and their opinions about what a great christian should look like are perfect, but that

2 Timothy 3:16–17 KJV 1900

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Romans 14:13–19 KJV 1900

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Paul says he was persuaded by Jesus himself, probably referring to Jesus’ teaching when he stated that it is not what goes into a man that makes him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth, for from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

And then the main point there in v15,16, See our liberty in Christ and freedom from the law is a good thing, but if we do not use that freedom to serve one another as the Word says (Gal 5:13-14) , then our good could be spoken of as evil, simply because we fail to walk in love. The motive is the issue here, and that also needs to be grounded in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, who knelt down and washed his disciples feet to set an example, and if HE gave up His life, certainly we can give up a steak dinner to show love toward a brother.

Any other attempt to sacrifice like a “good christian” should will end in misery, like I said earlier, if you’re doing it for man or out of any motive other than sacrificial love because Christ sacrificially loves you, it’s rubble.

This reminds me of 1 cor. 13, where it is hammered home that the greatest faith, greatest miracles, persuasive preacher, even a martyr, will ALL end up in an ash heap of eternity, if the motive is not love. And like the scripture says, we can do this, we can love, because HE FIRST LOVED US.

Romans 14:20–23 KJV 1900

20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

There’s a fine line, because one should not confuse this to mean that we can’t let anyone tell us anything, because God does use men to bring forth His Word, and this also does not mean we should cater to a legalistic attitude, if you remember, when Peter was walking in hypocrisy, Paul rebuked him to his face because he was in the wrong.

If you have strong faith and feel liberty to partake of certain things, praise God, but have your strong faith before Him, not before someone who may stumble.

It’s easy to look at someone else, other christians, and determine what we think should change in their lives.

“Oh they should be enjoying their freedom in the Lord more and not be so stingy, Christ has freedom for them!”

or “Man they should really ease off the liberty deal and practice some more disciplined sacrifice to please God”

Although there may be truth in both of those statements when judging other christians, that’s nothing, becasue the real question and focus in my heart and my mind, is not what could change in OTHER BELIEVER’S lives to bring them closer to Christ...

But God, what is there IN MY LIFE that may be hindering me from just a closer walk with thee??

So like I mentioned earlier, like Jesus said to Peter, when we get caught up worrying about other Christian’s and their liberties they enjoy or refrain from before the Lord, we ought to remember, what does that have to do with me? I should worry about following Christ.

Matthew 20:26–28 KJV 1900

26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.