Tag: Romans 14

The Third Rail

Why is Romans 14 one of the most controversial chapters in the Bible? How do we balance our conscience, our liberty, and our brother’s convictions? Gary explores some helpful principles in today’s post.

Gary Pollard

One of the least quoted or studied verses in all of the New Testament is Rom 14.22 — “You should keep your beliefs about these [freedoms] a secret between yourself and God. It is a blessing to be able to do what you think is right without feeling guilty.” The ESV reads, “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.” The NASB, “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.” The NKJV, “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.” 

The verses that come after this are equally important and we’ll get to those. It does seem like the “average” Christian has an intuitive understanding of the principles we’re going to look at. Not all do, and some use these verses to justify unquestionably sinful behavior. However — at least in my limited experience — they are usually in the minority. One of the arguments used by proponents of individual liberties (in a secular and social context) is that “freedom is inherently dangerous.” The tendency of a minority to abuse this freedom does not make legitimate any restrictions placed on the majority. Jesus directed most of his anger toward the teachers and textual experts of his day, especially the Pharisees. Whether their audience is small or great, teachers and preachers have an awesome responsibility! They can and do shape the hearts and convictions of their audiences, which in turn creates culture. In the timeless and understandable spirit of abundant caution, some have very vocally implemented prohibitions where God has not. Black and white always meet at the no-man’s-land of gray; both must respect the decisions of the other in how they interact with it. Romans 14 beautifully teaches us how to manage the clashes of conviction that inevitably occur in this uncomfortable and ambiguous zone. On one hand, keep your beliefs about these things a secret between you and God. On the other, don’t do anything that will hurt the faith of your brother or sister. This is how God asks us to handle these issues, and this is what we should teach. Anything stricter or more permissive than this is unscriptural by definition! 

What I’m getting to is that this verse also applies to many of the controversial, third-rail issues that have caused division, but which are not explicitly or implicitly condemned in scripture. Such questionable activities may not be intrinsically sinful, but can very quickly become sinful for different reasons. The slippery slope argument is the heart of Pharisaism (not to mention logical fallacy), so that cannot be used against such issues. However, the ways our freedoms can potentially affect our brothers and sisters in Christ are absolutely relevant! We must also remember one of the core messages of Romans 14 — Be willing to accept those who still have doubts about what believers can do, and don’t argue with them about their different ideas (1). This isn’t the only message in our text, though. Here are some other relevant verses to consider:  

If you hurt the faith of your brother or sister because of something you eat, you aren’t really following the way of love (15). 

Don’t destroy anyone’s faith by eating something they think is wrong. Christ died for them (15). 

Don’t allow what is good for you to become something they say is evil (16). 

In God’s kingdom, what we eat or drink is not important. Here is what is important: a right way of life, peace, and joy. Whoever serves Christ by living this way is pleasing to God and they will be accepted by others (17-18). 

So let’s try as hard as we can to do what will bring peace. Let’s do whatever will help each other grow stronger in faith (19). 

Don’t let the eating of food destroy the work of God. All food is acceptable to eat, but it is wrong for anyone to eat something that hurts the faith of another person. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that hurts the faith of your brother or sister (20-21). 

Instead, you should keep your beliefs about these things a secret between yourself and God. It is a blessing to be able to do what you think is right without feeling guilty (22). 

But anyone who eats something without being sure it is right is doing wrong. That’s because they didn’t believe it was ok. If you do anything that you believe isn’t ok, it is sin (23). 

Be willing to accept those who still have doubts about what believers can do, and don’t argue with them about their different ideas (1). 

Those who know they can eat any kind of food must not feel that they are better than those who abstain. And those who abstain must not decide that those who eat all foods are doing wrong. God has accepted them. You cannot condemn someone else’s servant! Their own master decides if they are doing right or wrong. And the Master’s servants will be right because the Master is able to make them right (3-4). 

We don’t live or die for just ourselves. If we live, we are living for the Master. And if we die, we are dying for the Master. So living or dying, we belong to the Master (8). 

So why do you condemn your brother or sister in Christ? Or why do you think you’re better than they are? We will all stand before God and he will judge us all (10). 

Each of us will have to explain to God about the things we do (12). 

So we should stop condemning each other. Let’s decide not to do anything that will cause a problem for a brother or sister or hurt their faith (13). 

You accepted Christ Jesus as Master, so continue to live following him. You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God. Be sure you aren’t led away by the teaching of those who have nothing worth saying and only plan to deceive you. That teaching is not from Christ. It is only human tradition and comes from the powers that influence this world (Col 2.6-8). 

“God’s Guidelines In Matters Of Judgment”

Monday’s Column: “Neal At The Cross”

pollard
Neal Pollard

In Romans 14, Paul emphasizes:

THREE FACTS ABOUT GOD

Even though Romans 14 is about the weak in faith and those who are stronger in faith, there is a decided emphasis on Deity–God’s acceptance (3), thanks to God (6), the judgment seat of God (10), praise to God (11), etc. The Lord is mentioned nine times while “Jesus” or “Christ” is mentioned several more times. Even when we have differences of opinions, we cannot forget about God’s presence and feelings. Another way to put any issue that would divide us is: “It’s all about God and not about us.” What are Paul’s three facts about God to help us here?

God Is Able To Make Our Brother Stand (4). Paul’s examples are about eating meat (3) and observing special days (5). Some did and some didn’t, and Paul says neither should judge the other’s Christianity on it for this reason. Each one is trying to please and follow the Lord the best they can (5-6). As long as they act from faith and not doubt on these judgment matters, they are not sinning (23).

God Is Lord Of All (9). We’ll be careful with each other’s convictions because we share the same Lord. We live for the Lord and die for the Lord; either way, we belong to the Lord (8). In all our political, social, and other earthly convictions, do we stop to remind ourselves abut this? We’re all on the same, level playing field as brethren, submitting to the same Lord. 

God Is Judge Of All (10-12). I don’t want to be my brother’s judge on anything, especially not things that are matters of judgment, opinion, and discretion. I’m also not qualified. If we get up at arms, let’s do so in defending God’s name and His authority. If we get worked up, let’s do so in seeking His glory and honor. 

THREE REMINDERS ABOUT THE CHURCH OF GOD

Jesus said His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). Christians are part of His kingdom first (Mat. 6:33), and it comes before politics, nation, race, etc. Romans 14 reveals three reminders about this kingdom. 

We Are Reminded That None Of Us Live Or Die To Ourselves (6-7). We are not an island to ourselves. What we do affects others. We’re keenly interested in how what we do affects others (cf. 1 Cor. 9:19-23). I consider how what I do affects you, and you are to do the same. That may come as a sacrifice to me, but I’m called to consider more than just me. 

We Are Reminded Of What The Kingdom Of God Is And Is Not (17). It’s easy for us to lose sight of our identity, mission, and work. If we forget who we are, why we’re here, or what we’re here to do, there’s trouble. At Rome, people were confused over what the kingdom of God was about. Paul says it is not about earthly stuff, stuff you can take or leave that is neither right nor wrong. The kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy. Mastering this leads us to be acceptable to God and approved by men (18). By majoring in the majors and minoring in the minors, we’re most effective with God and men. 

We Are Reminded That We Pursue What Makes For Peace And Edification (19). I doubt the Lord was trying to make a bunch of doormats in Romans 14, but to think that way is to miss the point of following Jesus (cf. Mat. 20:25-28). We approach our personal convictions, and those of others, wanting harmony and preferring one another. 

THREE WARNINGS ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Even as Paul emphasizes God’s supremacy and the church’s nature, he does not leave out how God wants us to treat each other over judgment matters.

Don’t Judge Each Other (13). We can redirect the energy it takes to try and read hearts and judge motives into trying to see through the eyes of others (1 Pet. 3:8-9). Peter gives a process. Be one, then you will see through others’ eyes, you’ll feel a sense of family, then you’ll be kind, humble, and so on. 

Don’t Destroy Each Other (15). Paul says don’t spiritually kill the brother Jesus died for. When we insist on our rights and our way, we are no longer walking in love. We’re supposed to be about building each other up. Disagreement can turn to resentment, and we start avoiding each other or being distant. Substitute “food” with “political party,” “pandemic issues,” “celebrating Christmas,” “new heavens and new earth,” “literal indwelling,” “representative indwelling,” and the like. The principle is unchanged. 

Don’t Tear Down God’s Work (20). The church may have more opportunities and open doors right now than at any time in our lifetime. Don’t think the devil isn’t bothered by that. He’d love for us to turn on each other. He’d love to see Christians dig deeper trenches of division. But of all people, God’s people should lead the way in genuine love, unity, compassion, and care. So, Paul says don’t tear down the work of God for the sake of things that won’t matter in eternity. Causing others to stumble is a problem because it can tear down God’s family. Follow your own convictions (22), but don’t equate them with God’s law!

A Passage I’ve Neglected To Apply To Myself

Neal Pollard

To be fair, there have been several passages I’ve neglected to apply to myself, but, given the time of year we are in, this is certainly one. Paul writes,

“One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or 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. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God” (Romans 14:5-10). 

When we encounter a passage in Scripture, we are well-served to consider its practical application for daily life.

According to this passage, an individual is permitted to regard one day above another and another may choose not to do so. How might that apply to us today? What if one personally regarded December 25th over, say, August 17th (which, while it’s National Custard Day and National Thrift Shop Day, was an attempt to pick an ordinary day on the calendar)? Is that wrong? 

According to this passage, one may elect to observe a day (or not) and eat certain foods (or not) “for the Lord.” If they observe and eat, they aren’t wrong and should not be judged. Remember what Paul says elsewhere: “Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ” (Col. 2:16-17). Is application restricted just to customs under the Old Law, or could someone today act as our judge regarding some or all of these things? Even in Colossians, Paul was dealing with more than Judaisers. 

According to this passage, we must consider our actions in light of how they impact each other. As a local church and even an entire brotherhood, we don’t act in isolation because we are part of one big spiritual family. It also means each member, every weak and strong Christian, should first apply this passage to himself/herself and not just project it onto others. It is a two-way street. If one wants to personally show homage to Christ on a specific day, should he or she be respected and left alone to do that? That seems a fair application of this text.

According to this passage, we must watch judging our brother in matters like these. Further, we must avoid seeing him with contempt. That’s a strong word, meaning “to show by one’s attitude or manner of treatment that an entity has no merit or worth, disdain” (BDAG 352). Jesus reserved a scathing parable of two men praying in the temple for some because “they trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt” (Luke 18:9). Every weak and strong Christian, along with the rest of humanity, “will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” That should temper my spirit and speech, especially in matters which upon fair investigation turn out to be matters of judgment.

When I was younger, I sadly admit that I passed judgment on Christians who sent me religiously-themed Christmas cards or put up a nativity scene in their yard. Any sign that they attached religious significance to this season I attributed to their being spiritually weak and inferior. In light of Romans 14, I believe I was wrong to do this. This was a personal liberty granted to them by God through Paul in that text. If, as I presumptuously assumed, I was their “stronger brother,” then I should not act as their judge in the matter. I should set an example of patience, compassion, and acceptance.

This passage does not authorize the church to observe Christmas or to conclude, as one wise brother put it, “If I can do it, we can do it.” Scripture is filled with condemnation for the church, in its worship and teaching, setting up what God set down and setting down what He set up. Paul, in Romans 14, is talking about an individual Christian engaging in a personal observance. In a mountain of doctrinal and moral crises, let’s be sure to put this in proper perspective. More than that, let’s be careful to avoid being in either the camp which looses where God has bound or which binds where God has given liberty. And let it begin with me.

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