Romans 14:13–23 NKJV

13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. 14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

We are continuing to discuss the liberty that we have in Christ and the responsibility that we have toward our brothers and sisters and how to have a balance of these in our Christian walk.

Last week we discussed that even though Paul himself is convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself, If we offend our brother or sister or put a stumbling block before them then we are destroying the one for whom Christ died. So this trivial issue becomes a major issue if we selfishly and carelessly flaunt our liberties. The question that Cain asked God when he was questioned on the whereabouts of Able was “am I my brother’s keeper”. Paul answers that question for us here with an emphatic “yes! You are indeed your brother’s keeper” Being a part of the Church comes with the responsibility to edify, encourage, and build up our brother’s and sisters and to be careful not to do anything that would tear down, or discourage, and potentially destroy the one for whom Christ died.

The church is a unique body of people who are the children of almighty God. How do you feel when someone treats your child poorly? Would you not defend you own child against someone who treats them unjustly? Would you not run to their defence? So when we speak to another Christian we should be mindful of the fact that we are speaking to a child of God. This is one for whom Christ died, this is a person whom God has accepted and in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. Be careful not to destroy them for the sake of your liberties.

Verse 16 says “do not let your good be spoken of as evil”. What good is Paul talking about? I believe that in this context the good refers to our liberty in Christ.

Romans 14:22 NKJV

22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

For the Christian who is not condemned and can partake of meat with a clear conscience they do so because of faith. Particularly faith that God has created all things and that therefore nothing is unclean in itself. Paul says this is a good thing and a person who has this faith is blessed or happy. However, if our liberty is exercised carelessly and another person stumbles at it then it will be spoken of as evil. So have your faith but exercise deference. Why? Here we get to the heart of this section. For...

The Kingdom of God is Not Eating and Drinking

So the first argument here was that is we flaunt our liberty and our fellow believer is grieved or offended then we are not walking in love and we are destroying the one for whom Christ died with our food. So for the sake of food we destroy, which we talked about last week is effectively the opposite of edifying meaning to build up, so instead of building up we are tearing down our brother or sister.

Now he is saying is that by putting our liberty as a priority over our brothers and sisters we are getting completely out of balance and we are putting our diet as more important than the kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God should be our primary focus. Christ told us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else will be added to us.

Here Paul is saying you need to get your prospective straight. The kingdom of God is not about your liberty to eat and drink what you like. Christ did not die on the cross so that you can enjoy a nice meal. Your freedom in Christ is not about what you eat and drink rather it is about

Righteous

Peace

Joy in the Holy Spirit

Within the wider context of Romans I believe that what Paul means is the righteous which comes through justification by faith in Christ. Peace which is the peace we now have with God, and the rejoicing in hope through the Holy Spirit who is the first fruits of the redemption of our bodies.

Romans 5:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

So the Kingdom of God is about being justified by faith in Christ, being reconciled with God and having peace through Christ and the Joy of the Holy Spirit in the hope of the glory of God. It is not about eating and drinking.

And Paul says that those who serve Christ in these things, Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Again if they are accepted by God then we must also accept them, and receive them.

Pursue Peace and Edification

Romans 14:19–20 NKJV

19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.

Up until now we have focus on the negative what not to do. Now Paul give us the positive, what we are to do. This is what we are to do as a church, Pursue the things that make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. This is to pursue the building up of the kingdom of God rather than the tearing down of it.

Let’s look at 1 Cor 10:23-33 as in this passage Paul is dealing with this same issue.

1 Corinthians 10:23–33 NKJV

23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.