3. Will my actions please Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ (vv.10-12)? 4. Does my behavior cause other people to stumble (vv.13-21)?

Transcription

1 Introduction In chapter 12 the theme was the Christians service; in chapter 13 the theme was the Christians citizenship; now Paul addresses the Christians conscience. How do we live when we have differences of opinion? How are we to solve problems and resolve conflicts when sincere Christians disagree on matters of faith and conduct? Paul knew that every congregation contains old and young; mature and immature; and in the early church there were free and slave; Jew and Gentile. In the early church three explosive and divisive issues threatened the unity and health of the Christian congregations. The issue of circumcision; the issue of dietary restrictions and the issue of feast days. In the early church many Jews wanted to hold on to holy days and dietary restrictions; and Gentiles who grew up without dietary restrictions or strict sabbath rules were reluctant to embrace man-made prohibitions. In the early church leaders struggled with the issue of whether or not Gentiles had to become Jews in order to be Christians. In our modern day the issues are framed in the broad context of liberty and license. What am I free to do? What am I forbidden from doing? Can I watch TV and be a Christian? Can I have a tattoo and be a Christian? Can I go to a Bronco game and be a Christian? Sound absurd? Can I drive a car? Can I use a cell phone? The Amish say no In the book of Romans Paul has taken a great deal of time to describe our freedom, our liberty, our redemption in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now Paul will address the issue of difficulties. What do you do in those grey areas of faith and practice in Christ? Disunity causes fights, splits, and divisions I remember counseling a couple about their marriage problems. Their fights and disagreements were causing a great deal of stress and difficulty in the family. With complete seriousness and sincerity the wife summed up their problems this way; Whenever we have an argument, my husband goes his way and I go God s way. Even on those issues were the Bible was silent she believed her way was God s way, and her husbands the devil s freeway The husband said, My wife said I never listen to her. At least I think that s what she said. Paul s focus in the chapter is not on laying down the law or spelling out the rules. Paul s focus is on our attitude. Paul will lay down several principles to negotiate the treacherous waters of personal differences; preferences and non-essential matters. These principles can be applied to young and old, mature and immature, Jew and Gentile. We can state these principles in the form of a question; 1. Am I fully persuaded or convinced that my actions are informed by personal emotion or biblical conviction? Someone has said that opinions are what we hold, while convictions are what hold us (vv.1-5). 2. Am I doing this under the full view of the Lord with a deep desire to honor Him (vv.6-9)? 3. Will my actions please Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ (vv.10-12)? 4. Does my behavior cause other people to stumble (vv.13-21)? 5. Can I honestly say that I am doing this by faith (vv.22-23)? 6. Can I honestly say I am doing this to please myself or others (15:1-7)? The Bible speaks and gives clear direction on certain behaviors, beliefs, doctrines and duties those that are allowed and those that are forbidden. But some areas are a matter of personal conviction, conscience and personal preference. For the Christian what is forbidden and what is allowed? In the chapter Paul 1

2 will give principles concerning non-essentials; and how we can maintain unity. What is forbidden and what is forgiven? We are to receive one another (not reject one another; vv.1-12). We are to edify and encourage one another in our mutual faith (vv.13-23); we are to please one another (Romans 15:1-7). Since Jesus receives us; we ought to receive one another (vv.1-3). Our heavenly Father sustains us (v.4) and Jesus is Lord (vv.5-9); and Judge (vv.10-12). Jesus Receives Us (vv.1-2) Romans 14:1 (NKJV)1Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. In the first verse Paul will lay out several principles that help us maintain unity. Accept those who are weak in the faith. Accept them don t reject them. Paul says weak in the faith not weak in faith or weak in morals....the faith seems to refer to the doctrines of salvation; Jesus and our freedom in the Lord Jesus Christ. Receive rather than reject. To accept or receive (proslambano) means to welcome to accept to oneself. Welcome people into fellowship. Look for reasons to associate with them not dissociate with them. Avoid disputes over doubtful things. Right at this very moment you might be thinking; who are the weak and what really constitutes doubtful things verses essential things? I am happy to answer your questions. But Paul s point is to make sure our attitude is right. You may love to argue. And the Bible does provide us with the rules to argue effectively, persuasively; stating truth and linking truth to evidence. There are helpful arguments and there are harmful arguments. In Romans 14 and 15 Paul describes the characteristics of the person weak in faith; they eat herbs (14:2); they are grieved or troubled (14:15); they are stumbled or offended (14:21); they have been made weak (14:21); they doubt (14:23) and the strong are told to bear with the scruples of the weak (15:1) or the infirmities of the weak (disabilities). Paul knew that disputes over doubtful things (dialogismoi) over non-essentials are not always helpful. Paul admits that doubtful things (non-essentials) do exist. The word dialogismoi is translated opinions (NASB); doubtful points (NEB); or disputable matters (NIV). What are doubtful things? The opposite of certain things. We are certain about the identity, mission and destiny of Jesus. We are certain about Christ s sacrifice and physical resurrection. We are certain about the essentials of our faith. Who is Jesus? Why did he die on the cross? Certain things include the nature of God, and salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone Certain things include the authority and inerrancy of the Scriptures, the personality and persons of the Godhead, the nature of sin, redemption and salvation and retribution. Certain 2

3 things include the physical and bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead and his ascension into heaven; and his physical, personal, bodily return to planet earth to rule and reign in glory. We are certain about our liberty in Christ. Liberty in the Bible has never meant liberty to sin. Doubtful things are those things without clear approval or command; those things which require us to think and pray and decide based on principles in the Bible. Doubtful things are those things that require discernment before we make the choice to either embrace or reject a specific behavior. Doubtful things include those decisions based on human opinion absent divine revelation. Paul gives illustrations of two doubtful things; food and feast-days. Right from the start we are to welcome people into fellowship; associate with them; not disassociate with them; we are not to argue (disputes) with them. We are not to despise or condemn them (v.3) or be selfish (chapter 15:1). We are to build them up and not tear them down (v.2). Saint Augustine said it well; In essentials unity, in non-essentials, liberty, in all things charity. 2For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Who are the weak (v.1 and now v.2)? he who is weak eats only vegetables (vegetables are those things dug out of the ground). The weak appear to be those who are hyper-sensitive. Weak does not mean worldly or indifferent or even immature. Jews who came to Christ retained much of their kosher inclinations. Their concern for proper preparation of food made it almost impossible for Jews and Gentiles to share a meal together. This made it difficult to promote fellowship and unity in the early church. The Jews were not the only ones who worried about meat and food preparation. Gentiles steeped in pagan culture and ritual sacrifice recognized that some of the meat on the open market had been ritually sacrificed to pagan gods. Paul reminds the Romans that he is free to eat all things. Jesus said, it is not what goes in the stomach but rather what proceeds from the heart that defiles the person. There is nothing from outside a man, that entering into him can defile him (Mark 7:15). Food cannot contaminate the soul. Certain food can contaminate the colon; bad sushi, or little parasites, amoebic poisoning, lots of things can reek havoc on the large and small intestines. But each person must think for themselves on their knees. The verb believes translates the same root word as faith (pisteo). Here the word believes means fully persuaded in the heart; or convinced; Paul knows that the Jewish distinctions of kosher do not exist in this dispensation of grace. Both meats (foods) and Gentiles have been declared clean (Acts 10:12). Christians have the right to eat or drink without restriction (that is concerning the type of food or the type of drink). Christians do not have the right to eat to the point of sin; or drink where the 3

4 drinking results in sin. There seem to be two restrictions; (1) behavior that causes sin; and (2) and behavior that causes a brother to stumble. Love limits liberty We live in both love and liberty. We have enormous freedom. But our freedom is not absent love and love cares about how other people feel Liberty is never far from that which is good and just and honest. Dangers When We Despise And Criticize (vv.3-4) 3Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. The person persuaded that he or she could not eat certain food sometimes felt persuaded that other brothers and sisters must also embrace the same restrictions or prohibitions But whether strong (him who eats) or weak (him who does not eat) do not despise the other. Think about what Paul is saying; if a person has made the decision to keep kosher or if a person has decided that food prohibitions no longer apply; this is not the measure we use to determine the presence or absence of fellowship or the presence or the absence of judgment. The strong are not to despise the weak. Your liberty should not elevate you above the weaker brother. You ought not to think more highly of yourself. Liberty is never license to dominate. The strong father gently grasps a child s hand. The strong must not use their strength as an opportunity to exploit the weak. Paul s point is that God has received them both; loves them both; welcomes and embraces both; so why won t you? This is the reason we refrain from judging one another in non-essential matters. The believer who who understands grace and liberty might be tempted to despise (exotheneito) the weaker brother. The word despise means to look down to hold in contempt or treat as meaningless or despise utterly. The weaker brother or weak believer may feel the need to observe some extra rules (or prohibitions). And let him who does not eat (the weaker brother) judge krineto; a word that means to censor or restrict). Paul warns the weak brother not to judge (censor) the strong (those who understand salvation and liberty). The meat-eaters found reasons to look down on the non-meat-eaters and the vegetarians were in their own way looking down on the meat eaters as barbaric bums; unclean; consuming that which is unclean Those with liberty believed their was liberty for all; those who chose to abstain believed abstention was necessary for all Let s think about this for a moment. Paul gives three reasons to avoid the temptation to despise each other (strong or weak). 1. The Lord God has received the strong (the one who embraces liberty); no matter what the legalistic (weak or the more legalistic brother) thinks There may be some cultural or social or even religious traditions or man made rules or customs that the Christian does not 4

5 observe; but they have trusted Christ they are born again they obey the Word of God and are led by the Spirit of God. They are not to be judged or criticized but accepted as full members in the Body of Christ and the context of the believer s fellowship. 2. No one has the right to judge the Lord s servant. Both believers are servants of the Lord. They belong to Christ. We belong to Christ. Therefore God alone has the right to judge; we have no right to condemn or pass judgment upon another person s works or behavior. We are not speaking of the works of darkness or sinful behavior. The Lord alone determines whether a person stands or falls; whether they are accepted or rejected. Paul s point is often missed. God receives them both 3. The Lord God shall hold the believer up The Lord God makes the believer stand. 4Who are you to judge another s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. Paul s point; it is the Father who justifies in the name of His Son. Some will not be able to resist the temptation to judge. Some will draw character conclusions based on the presence of secular or worldly entertainments; we draw conclusions based on personal appearance; dress, demeanor, or the admission of activities like watching TV; movies or various kinds of entertainment which they deem wholesome or unwholesome, health or unhealthy; carnal or spiritual. I call this irresistible judgment. The powerful urge to call into question someone s spiritual character based on something other than Christ and Christ s gospel. The powerful urge to call into question someone s spiritual character based on their freedom in Christ or freedom of conscience or sensitivities. Paul does not care if the judgment is secret or open; spoken or unspoken. Paul questions the so called right of believers to judge other people s motives. The word for servant is household servant (oikos). This is an idiomatic expression in the ancient world about someone who is a member of a household. Paul is saying; who are you to judge another man s servant who is waiting on you? Jesus Christ is the head over God s household. You are God s household servant. We are all the servants of Jesus. Jesus is our Master. He reserves the right of discipline or reward. The wonderful thing about Jesus is that when servants fall he is able to make us stand. Our success or failure as children of God, servants of Christ, members of a holy family, does not depend on the praise or criticism of others (thank God). People who serve Jesus, who are busy about their Father s business, winning souls, discipling converts have little time to judge or condemn other Christians. The Test Of Personal Persuasion (vv.5-6) 5One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 5

6 Now Paul addresses the issue of days. The meaning is religious or holy days, or the days of religious observance. Does the Christian have the responsibility to observe a sabbath day or a feast day or special holy day? Paul wrote to the Galatians (4:9); But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? (10) You observe days and months and seasons and years. (11) I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. Colossians 2:16-17; Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, (17) which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. The raging debate is not whether or not Christians should gather and worship; and the issue is not the mere matter whether we go to church on Saturday or Sunday; it went to the much broader subject of man made rules religion restrictions laid upon men by legalistic believers and churches. Again Paul is not speaking about commandments or instructions or principles given by God to believers. The commandments and instructions of the Scripture are to be kept. The present passage is dealing with the almost unavoidable tendency on the part of people to add to the Scripture additional rules and regulations. Paul is no way suggesting that the Lord s Day is unimportant. He is not suggesting that we abuse, ignore or neglect the Lord s Day. Paul is attacking an attitude that substitutes a Christian Day for the Christian Deity We set aside a Day to worship the Lord for rest and relaxation. We do not worship the Day We worship the Lord of all days Let each be fully convinced (plerophoreo; pleres-full-phoreo- bear or carry) in his own mind The believer must be persuaded in his or her own mind The idea is to persuade, convince, assure or satisfy fully On what basis do you make decisions? On the basis of truth? On the basis of evidence? Again the broad subject is this matter of non-essentials. The specific subject is food and feast-days. But you must make sure the issue at hand is questionable something not already covered by the commands of Scripture Does Paul s exhortation suggest that we be dishonest or detached from reason ignoring truth or evidence or command? We must be honest and intelligent and ask the question does this behavior seem right? We must not violate our conscience. We may not be fully convinced some behavior is right Clearly if we believe that our behavior is wrong we must not do it 6He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. The word observes (regardeth KJV; phroneo phren mind and so to think or be minded we might say thoughtfully inclined). 6

7 What is Paul saying? We want to understand and do God s will. One man dedicates every day to the Lord and sees every day as an opportunity to know the Lord, love the Lord, seek God s will and do God s will; minister and serve God s people. Some believe that Saturday or Sunday is a special day, a meaningful day, when we make certain sacrifices or observe certain celebrations. One person eats and rejoices and another person refrains from eating and rejoices. Both dedicate the day to Christ. Both give thanks. Some set aside more time and some less time to celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ. Both thank God for what they are eating And note Paul s point: both worship the Lord, both thank the Lord, both celebrate the Lord; both focus on the Lord, both are grateful for what they have; both are accepted and acceptable to the Lord; both are fully persuaded that what they are doing the right thing before the Lord. The differences are material and external days and food The key to understanding the verse lies in the expression to the Lord. There are people who believe that Saturday is a sacred day. There are people who believe Sunday is a sacred day. But the Christian does not regard the Day as Holy but rather Christ is Holy. Jesus is Holy. Jesus is what makes the day the food the celebration holy. We observe and eat every day as unto the Lord. The Jews believer with a heart still sensitive and tender to Hebrew Holy days and holidays would find it difficult not to observe those days The Christian with liberty is in bondage to Christ We are free to do good, to love. Liberty includes responsibility. That is what most men dread it. Conclusion Who or what directs your life? Are your thoughts, ideas, opinions informed by mere emotion or a settled conviction about the subject based on persistent prayer, a principled search and study of God s Word? Does your decision come from emotional confusion or a settled conviction informed by the Father or modeled by the Son and empowered by the Holy Spirit? We receive the weaker brother (vv.1-2). We do not despise or criticize others (vv.3-4) and make decisions based on the facts and principles given in the Bible. Contempt and judgment of a fellow believer who sees things differently is wrong Why? God accepts them (v.3c). Some will choose to abstain. Some will choose to enjoy. But freedom just like service and citizenship is never far from love. We ask Jesus to guide us. His words inform us. His attitude and example consecrate our actions, attitudes and habits. 7