Romans 14 Part 2
Romans 14 – Part Two
In Romans chapter fourteen, Paul talks about Christlike interactions with people who believe differently from us or who simply struggle with faith. In this installment we will begin looking into some of the examples he gives. As we do, it is good for us to remember that his culture and our own have important differences. Nevertheless, we face situations of the same type and there is much we can take from his inspired insight.
Romans 14, verse two goes on with this: “2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.”
Although I like to joke about this and say that it is proof that vegetarians have it wrong and that not eating meat makes them weak, that is not what this verse is talking about.
Paul is dealing with the fact that some of the believers in Rome came from pagan backgrounds and when they became new creatures in Christ they felt that eating meat was a bad idea because it could have been sacrificed to idols. They wanted no part of that, so their approach was to eat no meat at all.
This is a great example of setting the fence far back from the cliff, which is what the Pharisees did with their traditions. We often see this in the church today. There are often rules of behavior placed on members. The idea is that if our human rules are stricter even than God’s rules, we can catch ourselves before we actually sin. These rules and expectations may be written in a membership covenant, taught from the pulpit or in other venues, and implied but unspoken. In whatever way they are presented, they take the focus from Jesus, His forgiveness, and His Life living in us. Instead, such rules put all the focus on us and our sin. That is an idea doomed to failure, and it has shipwrecked the faith of many.
Unlike those in Paul’s day, we do not deal with the problem of meat that has been sacrificed to idols today. Still, there are similar issues with which we do have to contend. For example, when I was younger, some believers felt playing cards and dancing were wrong. Some churches even today want women to wear head covering, no slacks, dresses below the knee and so on. Some people believe that alcohol consumption (and sometimes even just being in a place where alcohol is served) is wrong. Others have no problem with this at all.
Such things cut both ways. In 1 Corinthians 8:7-9 (KJV) we read, “7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”
To some people a behavior not given the slightest thought by you or me might cause a serious issue of conscience. As this passage makes clear, it is certainly of no consequence to God. Nevertheless, grace teaches us not to exercise our liberty in a way that causes others to stumble. Since we cannot know every behavior that another might find confusing, unsettling, or offensive, we are wise to use care. This does not mean that we cannot life in the freedom for which Christ has set us free. It means that love and kindness, which the Holy Spirit is producing within us need to guide our choices regarding how we behave in various circumstances. As an example, meeting in a local tavern and ordering a drink when with a brother or sister who is struggling to control alcohol might be something we forgo.
Here’s Paul’s way of handling the problem: 1 Corinthians 9:22 (KJV) “22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” While this is talking about evangelistic outreach as opposed to interactions with other believers, we face situations where many believers are bound by religious teaching that has them laser focused on behavior. While that is an error, we do not need to make it the focus of our time with them by flaunting freedoms they consider ungodly. Instead, we can graciously share what Father is doing in our lives. We can love them where they are.
So, picking up Romans 14 at verse 3 we read, “3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up (he shall stand): for God is able to make him stand.”
Father is in the business of recreating, restoring, and reconciling. It is not for us to go around judging others. James 4:12 (KJV) says it this way, “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” That is eating from the wrong tree. Why eat from the tree that brings death when we can eat freely from the Tree that gives life?
As I said earlier, this cuts both ways. For those who are maturing in Christ, the same sort of consideration is to be given to those who express the freedom they have in Him. We are to bear with one another. Father has not given us a spirit of offence. We see that modeled on the daily news. It comes from the delusion and lies of the enemy. Father has given us the Spirit of unity—the Spirit of love.
Because Jesus Christ has made you free, you are free indeed. Colossians 2:16 (KJV) tells us, “16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:” This is not to say that we are to berate those who judge us. What is being taught here is that we are not to allow the judgmental attitudes and actions of others to be the arbiter of our acceptance by God. God is the only one who can stipulate what it takes to be acceptable to Him. He did that. Jesus Christ made us acceptable and that cannot be changed by the opinions of others.
In the next installment, Paul’s examples will shift gears from eating to religious observances.
