In this chapter Paul has told us three important things if we are to get along:

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1 Introduction Paul asks; How should we get along? How do we experience unity in diversity? We tend to underestimate the value of unity. What do I mean by unity? Christian unity is based on each person s connection to Christ. Unity is the exact opposite or the antithesis of isolation and conflict. We are given to conflict. Our predisposition is towards criticism and censorship. We tend to define things in terms of self. How many times have you said; We agree on almost everything. We make ourselves the measure of what constitutes unity. I have had John MacArthur on my radio program a few times; early on I found myself saying to Dr. MacArthur; I don t agree with everything you say; and then suddenly said, but I can t afford to ignore anything you say. He graciously said, Ah, I see you are a Berean. Dr. MacArthur refused to allow my arrogant and selfish and foolish statement to end our conversation. John MacArthur outlines this chapter; receive one another with understanding (vv.1-12); and build up one another without offending (vv.13-33). In this chapter Paul has told us three important things if we are to get along: 1. The first is genuine acceptance of one another. We are to receive and not reject each other (v.1). 2. The second; individual Christians can disagree over manners and customs, social habits, non-essentials, personal preferences, disputable matters (no proof of sin); like food and feasts (vv.2-9). 3. The third important point; we must all submit to the Lordship and Leadership of Jesus Christ. We all stand or fall before our beloved Master; we will stand before Jesus and given an account of our lives (vv.10-12). Can Christians have differences of opinion on non-essential matters and still have a right relationship with God and each other? Paul says yes But what about the conscience of the weaker brother? How are we to avoid judgment and at the same time remain sensitive, supportive, and even sacrificial towards one another? Paul gives the answer here; we must not be a source of stumbling towards one another (vv.13-15); we must present ourselves as citizens of God s holy kingdom; we are citizens of heaven (vv.16-18); we must properly pursue those things and embrace those attitudes that bring unity and are beneficial to the kingdom and to Jesus (vv.19-21); and we must be sure that our actions are done with a clear conscience in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit (vv ). 1

2 Purpose In Your Heart: I Will Not Be A Source For Stumbling (vv.13-15) Romans 14:13 (NKJV)13Therefore 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. Paul s advice: Stop judging each other over non-essential matters. Judge yourself. Are you a source of stumbling? Do not place spiritual-land mines in the paths of brothers and sisters. Don t be careless. Be careful. This is Paul s call to thoughtful, careful, Christian living. The expression stumbling block translates proskamma meaning something that has been carelessly left behind capable of tripping or stumbling. Think something left carelessly behind or deliberately left behind to impede progress. In war people deliberately leave behind landmines; or IED S (improvised explosive devices). We are not to stumble; we are not to hurt or impede another s spiritual progress in Christ. We are not to stumble either deliberately or carelessly R. Kent Hughes; Our Christian lives must be salted with a refusal to do anything that will harm the spiritual life of weaker brothers (p.268). Don t do things that grieve or destroy other people. Paul deals with similar problems in 1 Corinthians 8-9. Knowledge must unite with love to help the weak Christian. If something trips up your brother or sister don t do it. 14I 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. The NLT puts it this way: I know and am perfectly sure on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. Jesus reminded his disciples in Mark 7:14-19 that nothing man eats defiles his soul. Food might defile the body, but it cannot taint or contaminate the soul. Food contains no moral toxins capable of poisoning our spiritual systems. If a new Jewish believer believes food defiles him (no matter that he is wrong); or certain foods render a person spiritually unfit or unclean; they must be treated with love and sensitivity. Paul views any behavior and all behavior that unsettles or distresses another person s conscience as being unconscionable. In a sense Paul is saying if your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love I get upset when I see people eat SPAM unless we are at war or the SPAM is wrapped in seaweed and drenched in Wasabi. There is nothing unclean of itself remember the context is food and feasts. But the principle still applies all of God s creation is acceptable to God. It is what man does with God s creation that may or may not render it impure. In spite of my belief that nothing is unclean are there things that I still consider unclean unavailable to me? The answer is yes. In my youth after my salvation I had a profound leading from the Lord to refuse to smoke marijuana. Remember in the 1970 s marijuana consumption was illegal. The Federal Government still has marijuana consumption as illegal. I must admit if we went out after church to an outdoor bar-b-que and someone fired up a joint I would find myself more than just a little disturbed. Why can t I smoke 2

3 marijuana? I believe it is wrong. Legal-yes (in Colorado). Lawful does not always mean helpful. I am convinced that marijuana is harmful to my body and even more harmful to my mind. I cannot be sober-minded and marinated in THC the active ingredient in pot. 15Yet 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. Look carefully at the expression with your food. Some Bible teachers interpret this passage to mean the petty insistence on having your own way; of eating your food, and not caring who it hurts or what consequences it brings to others. This is the kind of in your face flaunting of liberty or freedom that says I have the freedom in Christ to do what I want and need not be concerned by your feelings or by your upbringing or by your cultural or social or political or religious sensibilities. This flaunting of freedom at the expense of brothers and sisters is condemned by Paul. Paul is opposed to such an attitude. What are we to do? Paul says, act in love. What does love do? Love is kind. Love does not insist on having its way. You mean I have to let people walk all over me? Love doesn t think that way Love responds; I will be the first to make the sacrifice; I will do without; I will forgo my privileges. Love is the first to make the sacrifice. The Christian life is like walking a tight rope. It is not safe to walk a tight rope unless you have a balancing pole. Some may need a harness. The beginner definitely needs a net. Imagine your balancing pole has Christian liberty on one end and Christian love on the other end. Balance the pole. And now walk. I know what you are thinking. Where do I draw the line? Where does my liberty end and my consideration for others feelings and sensitivities begin? How far do we go? Where did Jesus draw the line? If Jesus died for them can t you deny yourself one little thing? We are not called to an uncritical, indiscriminate limitation of our freedom (Hughes p. 269). One of my favorite stories is told by Donald Grey Barnhouse. He was a Bible teacher and conference speaker. He was speaking at a conference in Montrose, Pennsylvania in There were about 200 young people present. Two women came to Dr. Barnhouse, shaking and upset. They were horrified that two ladies were not wearing stockings The women wanted Dr. Barnhouse to rebuke the wayward teenagers. His reply was classic: Looking them straight in the eye, I said, The Virgin Mary never wore stockings. They gasped and said, She didn t? I answered, In Mary s time, stockings were unknown. So far as we know, they were first worn by prostitutes in Italy in the 15th century, when the Renaissance began. Later, a lady of nobility wore stockings at a Court ball, greatly to the scandal of many people. Before long, however, everyone in the upper classes were wearing stockings... These ladies, who were holdovers from the Victorian epoch, had no more to say. I did not rebuke the girls for not wearing stockings in the summer, and nobody thought anything about it. Nor do 3

4 I believe that this led toward disintegration of moral standards in the United States. Times were changing, and the step away from Victorian legalism was all for the better (Hughes p. 270). We respect other people s freedom. We voluntarily restrict our own. We remain sensitive to others. But that does not mean we submit to the prejudice and perversions of Christians who are well established in the faith, but persist in sub-biblical legalism. We do not insist that other people s opinions about non-essential matters become our obligations of conduct. We exercise freedom. We encourage others not to violate conscience. 16Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; Present Your Passport: I Am A Citizen In The Kingdom Of God (vv.16-18) The NLT reads; Liberty must not become license; your good is your liberty. Your liberty must never become another s excuse for sin. Paul lifts the conversation above the topics of food and festivals. 17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. We sometimes think of citizenship in terms of liberal or conservative politics. But what does citizenship in the kingdom of God include or incorporate? The kingdom of God does not consist in what we eat or what we drink; or what we wear unless of course we mean the robes of righteousness; the wedding garment given to us by Jesus. Jesus supplies our wardrobe. Did you really think that Heaven and the eternal state would be about going to church on Sunday, or watching movies or concerts or conventions or out-door activities? Do you think Heaven is one long fishing trip; sipping Corona s with a little lime on a sandy beach? The religious leaders in Jesus day were convinced the kingdom of God was all about the externals; touch not, taste not, handle not. Paul writes rather citizenship in the Kingdom of God is about righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. What does Paul mean? What does it mean that your passport bears the stamps of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit? Paul is not simply incorporating God talk into the difficult subject of getting along. The primary element in God s Kingdom is God s righteousness Paul repeatedly reminds the reader that the theme of this great book is God s righteousness. This is not human righteousness. We are not righteous by nature. We must be made righteous. Since we are sinners by nature and choice we cannot become righteous by good choices or good works or good deeds or good clothes, or good appearance. We cannot become righteous by a decision to be different (apart from Christ or the gospel or grace). We become righteous through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21; For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. When we experience the righteousness of God in Christ, we 4

5 long for holiness, we thirst for God in our inner being David wrote about it; As the deer pants for the streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God (Psalm 42:1-2). God s righteousness produces God s peace. The peace that Paul speaks of is internal peace; not simply the absence of conflict; but a settled peace; a confident assurance that we have been made right with God through Christ. We are no longer at war with God. We need not wage war with brothers and sisters. We remain at war with sin and self and Satan. We are at peace. Our peace comes from forgiveness immersed and informed by grace. Peace with God is the secret of experiencing peace with others. Kingdom peace means that we are not disturbed by the minor flaps and petty irritations and setbacks of immature and inconsistent Christians. And Joy in the Holy Spirit. Joy is the outward sign of the inward presence of Jesus Christ the Lord in the life of the believer. One Bible teacher tells the story of visiting London. The group walked past St. James place and noticed the flag was flying. The friend said, The Queen Mother is home. Joy is our flag It means Jesus is home in our hearts The Kingdom of God does not consist of externals but eternals 18For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Jesus accepts people who are righteous (made right) in Him. We have peace (with Him). We have joy (because of Him). We are approved by God (who sees our hearts). We are approved by men (who see our actions). Are you weak (limited in freedom)? Are you strong (liberated in freedom)? No matter whether weak or strong we make a terrible mistake if we focus on the externals. The weak shrivels, shrinks, her faith by seeing external rules as being the pathway or road to greater righteousness. The strong trivializes his faith by insisting on his rights to the externals Do we dare flaunt our freedom? In New Hampshire the state motto is Live Free or Die. In the Kingdom of God the motto is Live Free and Die die to self. Die to insisting on your freedom at the expense of your brother or sister s conscience. If you are willing to separate from your brother who does not share your view on non-essential matters to flaunt your liberty at the expense of your brother s conscience you have submitted to a new tyranny self. In the Revolutionary War the stakes were high. Rebellion against England meant certain death for the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Payne said, If we do not hang together, we will hang separately. Properly Pursue Those Things Which Bring Mutual Benefit (vv.19-21) 5

6 19Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. The word pursue is a strong word in the original language. It means follow hard, or persecute, it was a term that hunters used to describe following after game. We are to follow hard after the things that make for peace and mutual edification. We may put this in the negative; we are to refuse selfish and personal gain. We carefully look at and determine what are the needs of others and then devise a plan to meet that need. Does my speech or my actions build my brother up or tear my sister down? If you cannot say I am building them up then reconsider. You might think a builder must destroy the previous building to build the new one. And are you the Builder? Do you own the real-estate? Do you own the building? For brethren, you have been called unto liberty; only do not use liberty as an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another (Gal. 5:13). 20Do 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. 21It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. What does self-denial mean? The voluntary setting aside or laying aside of privileges. When your palate or passions endanger children (God s children); don t do it. Weak or strong we grow in love. The weak believer needs to grow in knowledge and truth. Weak believer do not remain weak. Grow in knowledge and truth. Strong believer allow love to season your sentiments allow love to mature you and make you stronger. In WWII convoys would provide escorts across the Atlantic Ocean. The convoy could only travel as fast as the slowest ship. German U-Boats were looking for prey. The weakest and slowest ships were the most vulnerable. All the ships in the convoy had to travel slow enough to provide protection for the slowest ship. The strong brother may storm ahead. But love does not permit this. Love is willing to slow down in order to help the weak. The shepherd must pace the flock to insure that the weakest lamb is taken care of. Paul s advice: be aggressive be persistent be deliberate in your pursuit of those things that make for unity and peace and mutual edification. Look for ways to build each other up. Avoid those things that tear each other down. It is not easy. But it is the way of love. Be Positive: I Am Doing This With A Clear Conscience (vv.22-23) 22Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 6

7 The NLT; You may have the faith to believe that there is nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it to yourself and God. Blessed are those who do not condemn themselves by doing something they know is all right. How in the world can you condemn yourself by doing something right? Have you ever heard of unintended consequences? Remember the context of the passage; Paul is speaking of things that are neutral or doubtful. We do not have confidence or faith to do evil things, wicked things, sinful things. God does not give us permission to marry the unbeliever; have sexual relations outside of marriage, murder or lie or cheat. Paul in effect is saying; doubtful things, neutral things; keep that between you and God. What about movies? That s between you and God. What about a glass of wine with dinner? That s between you and God. What about a Margarita with Mexican food? That s between you and God. Paul in effect is saying; if you have liberty to do that more power to you ya If you are able to exercise your liberty without harming others, praise God. 23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. Paul s advice is to the weak. Your practice should never extend beyond your convictions. Don t do anything if you are not sure it is right. If you are not sure the safest thing is to refrain and remain guilt free. Conscience doesn t always know what is right. It motivates us to do what s right. We should never sin against our conscience; no matter the source of the pressure. Who might pressure you? My first answer might surprise you. The church might pressure you. If your church or mother or father or brother or sister asks you do something that you believe in your heart is wrong don t do it. Conclusion The Apostle Paul wisely details the four do s if we value corporate unity and personal integrity: 1. Never, never, be a source of stumbling, a rock of offense, a reason to trip people up. Note: Jesus is the rock of offense; we should confine our offense to the gospel. 2. Live like a citizen of the great kingdom, the Kingdom of God. Focus on the eternals, not the externals. Major in majors; minor in minors. 3. Pursue with a purpose those things that benefit the believer. 4. Live your life with a clear conscience, live your life, fellowship with believers and God with a clear conscience. Unity creates strength. There can be no unity, no delight of love, no harmony, no good in being, where there is but one. Two at least are needed for oneness (George MacDonald; ). 7