Apr 2 2023 Romans 14 - Don't Impose Your Convictions on Others!

This is Paul’s greatest concern – and he is about to address it. He has laid out in detail what the gospel of Jesus is.

The famous theologian, Dave Brenner, told me this – This is the most important book in the Bible because it lays out the gospel.

Paul has been talking about the weak and the strong. The weak are not those who have been disadvantaged here in Rome, or the poor, or the ones who are being bullied. That is absolutely NOT what Paul is talking about.

The weak refer to certain Christians (usually Jewish Christians) who believed that all Christians have the responsibility to observe Torah

Other Christians held that we are free in the gospel of Christ – from observing Torah.

Romans 14: Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5 One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord,

This is the climax of the book? Vegetables and holidays? Is that all you’ve got?

This is not just practical advice that Paul is giving to the Romans – but the culmination of the explanation of the gospel of Jesus – the birth, death, and resurrection. Our ability, and the Roman church’s ability to follow Paul’s instructions demonstrate our understanding of the gospel. If this is hard for us to grasp and follow – it means we are lacking in our understanding of what the gospel is.

This is NOT about legalism!

Not about works righteousness!

We did not live then. I don’t know that any of us were Jewish – but for these Jewish Christians – their Bible told them that to be faithful to Yahweh – you must keep these laws. For them – it is about covenant loyalty to Yahweh while living in a pagan world.

Like Daniel – who refused to eat the king’s food – and only ate vegetables – why? Because they did not want to conform to the world of Babylon. They weren’t just being legalistic – they could not be faithful to God without not eating the food of the world.

We are living in a world that is exhibiting moral decay. What was going on in Rome is no different. That is where we need to place ourselves – when we place ourselves in this discussion about vegetables and holidays!

Romans 14:1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.

So far, Paul has come down pretty hard on the weak. He has said some about the strong – but here in chapter 14, he will put the hammer down on the strong.

Romans 14:1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.

This is imperative. A command. Not a suggestion.

Look! This is my command to you! You need to do this!

Accept – different translations use ‘receive’ or ‘welcome’ – it is used for receiving a person into your home – welcoming with hospitality – taking one into your friendship – accepting a person into your inner circle and to grant access to your life – much more than ‘you do you and I’ll do me’ –

And he says – do it without judgment.

Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. (Rom. 15:7)

Whenever Paul says something and then says it again – these are like bookends on one big thought.

Romans 14: Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One man has faith that he may eat all things (people have convictions that are backed up by their faith – their honest, well-thought-out convictions!), but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. (they have convictions in their faith and God has accepted them in their position)

Judging and contempt are here several times.

For those who have different convictions of Christian faith – and God has accepted them in their conviction – so I should accept them too, in their conviction of Christian faith.

4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

This person of a different conviction is a child of God – a servant of God – just like you and me.

Here are these 2 groups at odds – convinced that this was critical to faithful Christian discipleship – and God says that both will stand? How can it be? We have been trained to NOT think that way. That is not a positive thing about our culture!

They couldn’t think that way either – Paul had to admonish them to it.

Whenever a group tries to knock another down – what happens? God makes them stand!

God is all the more determined to stand them up!

Then in verse 5:

5 One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind.

We need to be fully convinced – thoughtful – to take the time to ask – is this biblical teaching? If someone is doing that, we need to let them have strong conviction – and maybe we are not there.

Quoting a verse is not a well-thought-out conviction! It is not! You can make the Bible say whatever you want! I have seen it happen! I have probably done it! And you have too!

We have a responsibility – if we are engaging in discussions about whose Christianity is right – you better have done your work!

6 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;

They are doing it for the Lord! When I am living for Jesus – I want people to know that’s what it looks like to live for Jesus – and that is what it looks like for them to live like Jesus.

and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 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.

And all those who know Jesus – they are the Lord’s!

9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God." 12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore (Well, that resolves THAT!), but rather determine this-- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.

Here is what to do – don’t be a stumbling block! Don’t make it hard for others to live in a way they believe is faithful to God.

Romans 14: 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Live in your convictions in such a way that honors God but does not hurt others! Live that conviction – but do it in a way that gives glory to God and does not hurt others!

He is talking to both – the weak and strong – you are a stumbling block when you try to force others to live by your convictions!

You strong – are a stumbling block – when you tempt others to go against their convictions!

1 Cor. 10: All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.

In all things – let no one seek his own good!

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

I think what happens a lot of times – we use our personal convictions against others – in such a way – maybe not against others – but in such a way that they feel like they are lesser disciples.

A group of us were talking about how someone was saying that one version of the Bible is the right one. What is going on there – you can like whatever version you want – but it says – if you don’t read MY version, you are a lesser Christian – and that is not right.

We do similar things in our own way.

What to do when convictions clash?!

I’ll throw out a simple one – Some believe coffee is a sin. For some who believed that – they were trying to convince others to not drink coffee! We have coffee in the back…

First thing – there is a difference between a command and a conviction.

So we need to ask – is there a clear command in Scripture?

Second – there is a difference between Biblical instruction and orthodox doctrine.

Orthodox doctrine are things that the Church and Christians have overwhelmingly agreed upon throughout the centuries – things found in the Creeds, Confessions, and the Gospels. These things are essential and require unity. It is not a large number of things – but they are really important – the gospel, God, salvation, Jesus, the Holy Spirit.

Biblical instruction or teaching – various churches throughout the centuries have biblical teaching and instruction on various issues that differ – maybe baptism, or gifts, or women and their roles in ministry – those – where Christians have disagreed – those are non-essentials – and with those, we accept diversity.

The problem – we tend to believe that our biblical instruction is the same as orthodox doctrine. That is where the problem comes in.

Back to coffee – is there a clear command? No.

Some say it is addictive and we shouldn’t do things that are addictive… but that is not a clear command, but someone’s biblical teaching.

So what is the solution? We know it is not part of orthodoxy? SO what is the solution? Do we remove the coffee?

The weak ‘coffee drinkers’ do not have the right to impose their conviction on the strong. And the strong are responsible to not offend the weak. So what do you do? That is silly – coffee.

Some have struggles with alcohol – that is serious. Others are free. Let each pursue the good of the other!

A lot of it is communication.

You have a hard time with coffee – we’ll be careful around you – for others – to have the freedom.

For someone who struggles with alcohol – it is considerate to not go where there is alcohol. But if they are okay with it, it may be fine.

19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

Our responsibility is to pursue peace – Torah/Freedom – both sides, pursue peace.

20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.

The weak must appreciate the freedom of the strong – and the strong must be careful and sensitive to the conscience of the weak.

This instruction is for both because both have responsibilities.

22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God.

You don’t drink coffee – have that conviction! Keep it to yourself! Don’t impose it on those who are called differently.

Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. (This is a terrible place to end the chapter – we continue: ) Romans 15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves

You strong - Be careful!

. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself;

If everyone is concerned for our neighbor’s good – it will work.

Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. (Rom. 15:7)

Have the attitude – Jesus could accept me for who I was – so I can accept others for who they are.