Growing closer to God Pt33

Black, White, Red, Grey

The bible is filled with many things. If you have ever read the bible you know this. If you have ever actually studied the bible you know this all too well. The bible, I believe, has 4 main colors. Black and white, Red, and gray.

Black and white are pretty clear. The 10 commandments are black and white. You know by reading them what they mean. There is no perception. You cannot murder. You cannot lie. Sex outside of marriage is wrong.

Then there are Red letters. These are the words that come straight out of Jesus’ mouth. You should more than likely pay attention to those. It will be on the test.

But grey.

The bible is filled with grey. Tattoos for example are a grey area. There are people who who are dead set against a Christian having tattoos. There are Christians who have more ink than skin. Can a Christian drink? What does the bible say about divorce and remarriage?

Some of us may state—These aren’t grey. I know what Jesus says, but these topics have caused many to quarrel, split churches, and hinder the gospel. Do we throw them out because we believe different? No-The bible is clear about what we are to do and today this is our topic has we enter the last few chapters of Romans.

Romans 14:1–3 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.

The defining term in this verse is faith. Now most of us understand the typical definition of faith-to trust in what is unseen. Some state that they share faith by conveying the gospel. They share their trust in the unseen through scripture.

The definition used here is assurance—like in —he has given assurance to all by raising Christ from the dead.

Assurance means:

A Positive Declaration Intended To Give Confidence.

To Dispel Potential Doubt

For arguments sake lets use Tattoos. When I got my tattoos I did my research and felt confident in my judgements. I got a tattoo. I don’t believe I was sinning and still don’t believe I was in sin.

HOWEVER, as I grew in my faith, wisdom, and stature Brother Bill Suddeth gave me on of his books to read. I still don’t fully, and I use the term fully on purpose, believe tattoos are sinful.

HOWEVER, now my confidence is shaken. I am not fully confident. There are times I desire another tattoo, but I don’t get one because I am not 100% confident. So for me it is a sin. why?

Romans 14:22–23 ESV

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.

Romans 14:14 ESV

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.

What was black and white to me is now grey. For me getting a tattoo at this moment doesn’t no proceed from the full assurance that it is not sinful. Simply put, arguments have been made on both side. Arguments seem to make sense on both sides. I just don’t know and If I am not 100% sure the question I have to ask myself is:

What was black and white to me is now grey. For me getting a tattoo at this moment doesn’t no proceed from the full assurance that it is not sinful. Simply put, arguments have been made on both side. Arguments seem to make sense on both sides. I just don’t know and If I am not 100% sure the question I have to ask myself is:

Is it worth risking my relationship with God?

The answer should always be no. If it is yes, then I need to examine my heart, because the fist commandment is there is no other God beside me and if you elevate something that will risk your relationship with God you put it on the same or a greater level of importance than God.

So what about other people: We are given Two directives from the bible on how to handle grey areas concerning others.

It’s not your job to judge their faith!

Romans 14:4 ESV

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.

Romans

In grey areas, remember the context of the verse in Grey areas we cannot judge.

In black and white areas we are told to bring the sin to them, to others, to the church.

There is a difference between I don’t know. And definitely sin. If I see you drunk. I will come to you. If you have a beer in your hand and your still 100% sober. That’s between you and God.

the second directive

2. Do not be a stumbling bock for others

If you know brother Jim struggles with the idea of alcohol it is not ok to use your confidence to cause Jim to question his confidence and participate in something that will cause him to sin.

Romans 14:13 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.

Why?

Romans 14:19 ESV

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

It is our job to pursue peace any chance we can as so long it doesn’t go against the bible or hinder the gospel from going forth. We are meant to build each other up not argue about opinions.

Why?

Romans 14:17 ESV

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans

Church, God’s people, should not be a place where we argue about a matter of opinion. The gospel is getting spat on by Christians who hold opinion higher than scripture. If we are to reach the masses we must put aside our differences of opinion and pursue truth. I believe this church is going to grow because I believe each on of you are finding people to disciple in your life. While helping others find Christ remember this phrase

If it’s grey stay away.

If you’re not sure Ask someone; not in an augmentative way, but go to someone who has experience and state is this black and white or is this matter of opinion. There are times when people come to me and I can’t give them concrete answers. I say—some theologians state this: Others state that. This is what I tend to believe.

If your asking for yourself—I will ask:

Is it worth risking your relationship with Christ over?