LIVING ABOVE DISPUTABLE MATTERS

Text: Romans 14:1-23

Life Application: A mature Christian values honoring Christ and building up fellow believers more than winning arguments over personal convictions and disputable matters.

One of Satan's most effective strategies against the church is not the persecution that comes from external sources, but rather the division that arises from within. Over time, churches have experienced splits and conflicts over personal preferences, traditions, personalities, and opinions that often have little relevance to the core doctrines of the faith.

Throughout the history of the church, believers have found themselves in heated arguments over issues where Scripture does not provide explicit commands or directives. Questions arise, such as what music is appropriate to sing, which holidays should be celebrated, and what standards of conduct should be followed regarding personal convictions. These debates can lead to significant discord among believers, undermining the unity that is vital for the church's mission.

Illustration: I recently experienced such as a pastor while pastoring a church where a deacon wanted to run the church because he had gotten away with it for decades. Instead of deacons serving with the pastor and visiting the widows, sick, and shut-in’s as the Bible commands, this deacon led a demon board and elevated trustees into leadership which is not even a biblical office. I just shake my head in disbelief even to this day as I watch the devil have his way with his imps.

This situation we are going to look at here in Romans, unfortunately is not the way things turned out for the so-called church I pastored that allows an authoritarian leader to rule, but this is how it should be. You have to be a believer to understand what we are discussing today.

The church in Rome encountered similar challenges as it sought to navigate the complexities of faith and practice. Jewish believers, having grown up under the Law, brought with them certain dietary customs and religious observances that they continued to follow in their Christian lives. In contrast, Gentile believers did not share these same convictions and often approached their faith differently. This disparity led to rising tensions, as each group viewed the other with skepticism and mistrust, creating a rift within the community of faith.

Romans 14 addresses what are commonly referred to as "disputable matters" or "matters of conscience." These issues do not pertain to fundamental biblical truths, such as the deity of Christ, salvation by grace, or moral integrity. Instead, they involve areas where sincere believers may arrive at differing conclusions while still honoring Christ in their lives. It is crucial for the church to understand that these differences, while significant to the individuals involved, do not affect the core of the Christian faith.

The Apostle Paul teaches believers how to maintain unity in the body of Christ without compromising the essential truths of the faith. In this chapter, he outlines how to treat one another when convictions differ, emphasizing the necessity of grace and understanding. If we are to preserve the integrity of the church and honor Christ in our relationships, we must strive to live above these disputable matters, fostering an environment of love and acceptance.

Paul provides us with three guiding principles for navigating these challenges.

I. RECEIVE ONE ANOTHER GRACIOUSLY (Romans 14:1-9)

The chapter begins with a directive: "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations" (v. 1).

The term "weak in the faith" does not imply a lack of salvation or commitment to Christ. Rather, it refers to believers whose consciences are more stringent regarding specific practices or behaviors. In Rome, some believers felt free to eat all types of food, while others refrained from certain meats due to their previous religious practices. Additionally, some believers regarded specific days as more significant than others, whereas others treated every day as equal.

Paul’s primary concern lies not in which position individuals choose to adopt, but in how they treat one another in light of their differing convictions.

The strong believers might be tempted to look down upon the weak, while the weak may feel compelled to judge the strong. This creates an environment where one group disparages the other, leading to a cycle of condemnation and resentment. Paul reminds both groups that God has already accepted each believer into His family. As stated in verse 3, "For God hath received him." If God has welcomed a believer, who are we to reject them? The church should not become a place where acceptance is conditional upon agreement with every personal preference or conviction. Our unity is rooted in Christ, not in uniformity regarding secondary issues.

Paul further emphasizes that each servant ultimately answers to his own Master. In verse 4, he poses the question: "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant?" Each believer belongs to the Lord, having been purchased by Christ's blood. Thus, only Christ has the authority to evaluate His servants. Paul continues by highlighting that whether believers choose to eat or abstain, or observe particular days or not, their ultimate desire is to honor the Lord in their actions. The critical factor is not merely what they do, but the motivations behind their choices.

A believer who refrains from certain activities out of devotion to Christ should not be ridiculed, just as a believer who enjoys their Christian liberty while sincerely honoring Christ should not be condemned. Verses 7-9 remind us that our lives are entirely dedicated to Jesus: "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord."

The essence of the Christian life is centered around Christ. Our goal is not to seek personal gratification or to win debates, but to honor the One who sacrificed everything for us.

When believers keep their focus on who their Master is, they cultivate a spirit of grace and understanding toward one another. This spirit is desperately needed in the church today. We must stand firm on biblical truth while also extending grace in areas where Scripture allows for personal conscience. We must receive one another graciously.

II. RESPECT ONE ANOTHER CAREFULLY (Romans 14:10-18)

Beginning in verse 10, Paul transitions from the idea of receiving one another to the concept of respecting one another. He asserts, "For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ." Every believer will ultimately stand before the Lord to account for their lives. Paul is not discussing salvation, which was settled at Calvary, but rather accountability. Each Christian will answer for how they lived, served others, and treated one another.

Understanding this should instill humility in our hearts. Instead of passing judgment on fellow believers, we should take the time to examine our own hearts and actions. Paul then introduces a second concern: even when we enjoy liberty in Christ, we must be cautious not to become a stumbling block for another believer. Verse 13 states, "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."

Paul had a profound understanding of Christian liberty, recognizing that foods themselves are not inherently spiritually unclean. In verse 14, he declares, "I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself." However, knowledge alone is insufficient. Love must guide our exercise of liberty. A believer may have every right to partake in certain activities, but if doing so endangers another believer's conscience, love demands we exercise caution and restraint. Paul is not interested in whether something is permissible; rather, he is focused on whether it is beneficial.

Verse 15 issues a powerful warning: "Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died." This statement carries immense weight. Jesus valued that believer so deeply that He sacrificed His life for them. Surely we can demonstrate our love for them by exercising restraint over our liberties when necessary. The kingdom of God is far more significant than winning disputes over personal preferences. Verse 17 emphasizes this point: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." The Christian life is not fundamentally about adhering to external regulations but about fostering transformed character.

Righteousness refers to living rightly before God, peace denotes harmony with one another, and joy signifies the delight produced by the Holy Spirit in our lives. When believers become overly fixated on secondary matters, they often sacrifice these greater priorities. Churches have fractured over issues that will ultimately have no eternal significance. Friendships have been damaged, testimonies have been weakened, and ministries have suffered because believers prioritize preferences over people. Paul reminds us that safeguarding the spiritual well-being of others takes precedence over simply proving ourselves right. We must respect one another carefully.

III. REFLECT CHRIST HONORABLY (Romans 14:19-23)

The final section offers practical application for believers. Paul writes, "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" (v. 19).

The term "edify" means to build up. Every Christian should ask themselves a fundamental question: "Will this action build up God's people or tear them down?" Unfortunately, believers often concentrate on their personal rights rather than their spiritual responsibilities.

Paul instructs us to pursue peace and spiritual growth actively. Verse 20 reiterates the warning: "For meat destroy not the work of God." The work that God is accomplishing in another believer's life is invaluable, and we should never carelessly damage that work through our selfishness or insensitivity. Paul then makes a remarkable statement: "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth" (v. 21). He is prepared to relinquish personal freedoms if doing so enables another believer to grow. This exemplifies Christlike love.

Jesus never insisted on His rights; He willingly sacrificed Himself for the benefit of others. The mature believer is not the one who demands freedom at all costs but rather the one who lovingly limits their freedom when necessary for the sake of others. Paul concludes with a principle regarding conscience: "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth" (v. 22). A believer should live according to their convictions before God.

Verse 23 adds, "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin." This statement carries profound implications. If a believer cannot participate in an action with a clear conscience and confidence before God, they should refrain from doing it. The issue transcends the action itself; it hinges on whether it can be done in faith. God desires believers whose hearts are entirely surrendered to Him, living lives characterized by integrity, sensitivity, and a desire to honor Christ in every decision made. When we reflect Christ honorably, we actively seek peace instead of conflict, edification rather than division, and love instead of self-interest.

CONCLUSION:  Romans 14 is not a chapter advocating for the lowering of biblical standards. Rather, it emphasizes the importance of learning to love God's people while steadfastly maintaining biblical convictions. Paul teaches us that sincere believers may hold differing views on matters of conscience. When these differences arise, we are called to respond in a manner that reflects Christ's love and grace. We must: receive one another graciously, respect one another carefully, and reflect Christ honorably. The world observes how believers treat one another. Jesus stated, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

May God empower us to stand firmly for truth while extending grace to our fellow believers. Let us refuse to allow secondary matters to create unnecessary division, while ensuring that every decision we make is governed by the question: "Does this honor Christ and help His people?" When this becomes our guiding principle, unity flourishes, love abounds, and the church stands as a powerful testament to the transforming grace of God.