Romans 14
Today's Passage: Romans 14
Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” That verse is a guiding theme for so much of what Paul teaches in the latter half of Romans. He addressed issues of theology and biblical history. But, over the last few days, he’s given practical advice to apply the theology that he taught to address the conflict between Jews and Gentiles.
If you haven’t spent much time thinking about Romans 14, today’s the day. It is worth some serious contemplation. In many places the Bible has very clear-cut commands, but what about the issues that aren’t as clear? Romans 14 sheds some light.
In discipleship book 3, Growing Up in the Lord, week 1 hits on the idea of deciding if something is right or wrong. First, we must ask, “Is it black and white in Scripture from a clear command?” Second, “Is it of the world?” Third, “Will this hurt my body or upset the Holy Spirit within me?” And finally, “Will this hurt my reputation as a Christian or do damage to God’s name?” What does it look like to hurt my reputation or damage God’s name? Romans 14 has a very real example from life in Rome.
It's hard for us to imagine how religious every aspect of daily life was in the ancient world. You could hardly buy anything, especially food, that wasn’t a part of some idol worship. There was a significant intermingling of commerce and religion.
Christians know that there are no gods, only the One True God eternally existing in Three Persons: Father, Son, & Spirit. Paul made this clear to the Corinthians in 1 Cor 8 when he said, “Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that ‘an idol has no real existence,’ and that ‘there is no God but one.’… However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.”
Similarly, in Romans 14, people were “quarreling over opinions” regarding food. However, we can apply what Paul teaches to much more than food. Again, there are many commands in Scripture, that’s not the issue here—we’re talking about differences of convictions that people have in regard to personal obedience.
The first thing is to recognize, as Paul says in verse 12, each of us will give an account of himself to God. The judgment Paul teaches on isn’t about accountability, it’s about becoming the Holy Spirit for another person.
Second, verse 19, so then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Something may not be wrong in and of itself. However, if it tears down another believer, one for whom Christ died, it is wrong. A Christian is not bound by the approval of men, and yet, we are responsible to build up the Body of Christ and maintain a gospel witness to outsiders.
Thirdly, and most convicting, verse 20, “Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.” You could replace the word “food” with many things. I would even encourage you to search your heart for what words you are tempted to put here.
Finally, “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”
Love for others limits our Christian liberty. Sometimes we must closely examine the messages and signals we send (especially on social media). We are called to be a peculiar people, let’s live like it.
Written By: Tyler Short
Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” That verse is a guiding theme for so much of what Paul teaches in the latter half of Romans. He addressed issues of theology and biblical history. But, over the last few days, he’s given practical advice to apply the theology that he taught to address the conflict between Jews and Gentiles.
If you haven’t spent much time thinking about Romans 14, today’s the day. It is worth some serious contemplation. In many places the Bible has very clear-cut commands, but what about the issues that aren’t as clear? Romans 14 sheds some light.
In discipleship book 3, Growing Up in the Lord, week 1 hits on the idea of deciding if something is right or wrong. First, we must ask, “Is it black and white in Scripture from a clear command?” Second, “Is it of the world?” Third, “Will this hurt my body or upset the Holy Spirit within me?” And finally, “Will this hurt my reputation as a Christian or do damage to God’s name?” What does it look like to hurt my reputation or damage God’s name? Romans 14 has a very real example from life in Rome.
It's hard for us to imagine how religious every aspect of daily life was in the ancient world. You could hardly buy anything, especially food, that wasn’t a part of some idol worship. There was a significant intermingling of commerce and religion.
Christians know that there are no gods, only the One True God eternally existing in Three Persons: Father, Son, & Spirit. Paul made this clear to the Corinthians in 1 Cor 8 when he said, “Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that ‘an idol has no real existence,’ and that ‘there is no God but one.’… However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.”
Similarly, in Romans 14, people were “quarreling over opinions” regarding food. However, we can apply what Paul teaches to much more than food. Again, there are many commands in Scripture, that’s not the issue here—we’re talking about differences of convictions that people have in regard to personal obedience.
The first thing is to recognize, as Paul says in verse 12, each of us will give an account of himself to God. The judgment Paul teaches on isn’t about accountability, it’s about becoming the Holy Spirit for another person.
Second, verse 19, so then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Something may not be wrong in and of itself. However, if it tears down another believer, one for whom Christ died, it is wrong. A Christian is not bound by the approval of men, and yet, we are responsible to build up the Body of Christ and maintain a gospel witness to outsiders.
Thirdly, and most convicting, verse 20, “Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.” You could replace the word “food” with many things. I would even encourage you to search your heart for what words you are tempted to put here.
Finally, “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”
Love for others limits our Christian liberty. Sometimes we must closely examine the messages and signals we send (especially on social media). We are called to be a peculiar people, let’s live like it.
Written By: Tyler Short
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