Surrendering Our Rights

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Get two volunteers, have them enter into a debate about the best SONG

Certain things are clear right? Neither person could argue that the other song didn’t have lyrics or a tune, but they could argue things that are not clearly spelled out.

In Scripture, these types of things exist too.

Many people today seem to have no tolerance for others who have differing opinions. Today we will see how believers should treat other believers when their opinions differ on matters not clearly spelled out in Scripture.

Believers Leave Judgment to God in Matters Not Clearly Spelled Out in Scripture

Romans 14:1–12 (ESV)

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.”

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Paul is dealing with Christians here in one church that struggled with disagreements. You see, to some, Christians still needed to follow all of the Jewish dietary restrictions and festival days, to others it didn’t matter. Paul refers to some as weak in their faith and some as strong in their faith.

Those who were not yet firmly established in the faith and did not feel the freedom to eat certain foods such as meat, Paul called weak. They were probably Christians who remained committed to observing certain ceremonial aspects of the Law, especially those that dealt with diet and specific holy days. Others, the strong, believed they could eat anything. Unless God personally convicted them of such eating, there were no restrictions. This dispute had led to quarreling and disunity. Instead of arguing with one another, Paul instructed them to accept each other without passing judgment.

What are some debatable matters that cause disputes and division in churches? (The timing of end-time events; political policies; styles of music used in worship; etc.)

Why is it so easy to get offended and upset when someone has a different opinion about a debatable matter? How has social media fueled this issue?

The one who felt the freedom to eat was looking down on the one who chose not to eat (verse 3). The one who chose not to eat was criticizing the one who felt free to eat. Each was putting himself in a position reserved only for God. Meanwhile, God welcomed all who believed, regardless of their stance on this issue.

What does it look like to accept believers who have different opinions about matters not spelled out in Scripture? (Don’t look down on or judge them; respect them; agree to disagree; treat them lovingly; etc.)

When it comes to doctrinal matters, what are some of the issues that should be non-negotiable? (Deity of Christ; salvation by faith in Jesus alone; inspiration of Scripture; resurrection of Jesus; etc.)

We all belong to God, and we all answer to God, not each other.

Believers Consider Others’ Spiritual Well-Being as More Important Than Their Own Rights

Romans 14:13–23 (ESV)

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.

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.

No matter what, we are to build each other up instead of being a stumbling block to someone else's faith. Just because you and I may differ on what is going to happen at the end of time, doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t work together in the faith.

We live in a culture that applauds individualism and personal rights. How does our concern for a fellow Christian’s conscience affect what we decide to do and not do?

How could our actions cause other believers to stumble in their faith? (Seeing us do something they feel is wrong might cause them to doubt or tempt them to do what they don’t feel free to do; etc.)

Verse 14 also reveals Paul’s conviction that no food or special day is holy or unholy in and of itself. For the one, however, whose conscience sees something as unclean, then for that individual, it is unclean (verse 14). The believer must act in love, not in judgment, showing respect to others, remembering that Christ died for both the strong and the weak (verse 15).

Is it possible for something to be wrong for one believer but acceptable for another? Explain. (One with less understanding of spiritual principles might consider something as wrong while a more established believer understands that behavior to be acceptable; we should not do something that violates our conscience; etc.)

Believers should follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit when deciding about matters not spelled out in Scripture. Issues such as food and drink should not divide believers. Such division would destroy or tear down the work of God (verse 20). The “strong” should never try to influence the “weak” to violate his or her conscience. It would be better for the strong to avoid eating or drinking certain foods and beverages if doing so could cause the weak to stumble (verse 21).

Believers Follow Christ’s Example by Placing Others’ Interests Ahead of Their Own

Romans 15:1–7 (ESV)

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

No matter your opinions, you are called to bear with those with differing opinions. What does that look like? Why should we do that?

And, all the while, first and foremost, we are called to please Christ with our actions. In doing this, we are going to put the needs of others before our own needs.

Much of our society preaches that you are your number one priority and “self-love” is the greatest form of love. What is the scriptural response to that type of thinking?

We are called to be in unity with one another, for a house divided against itself will fall. We do this by placing the needs and wants of others before our own.

Why does it glorify God for Christians to live in harmony? What steps can we take to increase unity in the church?

Respond

You are not always right. And, even when you think you are, there are others who think they are right. In matters no relate to salvation, bear with one another, pray for one another, and live in unity.

Prayer requests and pray