"Romans 14:1-18
Deal with disputes
If only the church in the last 2,000 years had followed Paul’s instructions. As John Stott writes, Paul’s purpose in these verses ‘was to enable conservative-minded Christians (mostly Jewish) and liberal-minded Christians (mainly Gentiles) to coexist amicably in the Christian fellowship.’
There are certain matters over which Paul was willing to fight to death – the truth of the gospel (that Christ died for us, vv.9,15). The life, death and resurrection of Jesus (v.9) and the Lordship of Christ (v.9) are examples of what is non-negotiable.
However, Paul writes here that there are other things that are not nearly as important. They are ‘disputable matters’ (v.1). They are secondary areas. He gives various examples such as vegetarianism or thinking of one day as more sacred than another.
Today some Christians abstain from alcohol. Others do not. Some Christians are pacifists. Others are not. And there are many other issues where Christians are passionately divided about disputable matters. How do we deal with these disputes?
Welcome those with different views
He writes ‘accept’ (the word means ‘welcome’) those ‘whose faith is weak’ (v.1a). ‘Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do... Eventually, we’re all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God’ (vv.1,10, MSG).
Do not be quick to judge
‘Don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with’ (v.1b, MSG).
He goes on, ‘Who are you to judge someone else’s servants?’ (v.4). ‘Then let us no more criticise and blame and pass judgment on one another’ (v.13, AMP). We must allow people to have different views from our own without judging them for it.
Don’t look down on others
We ‘must not look down on’ (v.3a) those who have different views from our own. God has welcomed them (v.3b). So should we.
Do what you think is right
On all these secondary matters ‘everybody should be fully convinced in their own minds’ (v.5). ‘Each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience’ (v.5, MSG). ‘If you eat meat ... thank God for prime rib; if you’re a vegetarian ... thank God for broccoli’ (v.6, MSG). Just because we may agree to disagree on these matters does not make them irrelevant. We need to be careful to do what we think is right in every situation.
Assume the best about other people’s motives
‘Those who regard one day as special, do so to the Lord. Those who eat meat, eat to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and those who abstain, do so to the Lord and give thanks to God’ (v.6).
We should give others the benefit of the doubt and assume that they are seeking to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord (vv.7–8).
Be sensitive about other people’s consciences
Paul goes on to say, ‘Make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in another believer’s way’ (v.13). For example, if someone regards drinking alcohol as wrong, it would be insensitive to drink alcohol in front of them – even if we are convinced in our own mind that there is nothing wrong with drinking alcohol in moderation. We do not want to cause them distress (v.15).
Help and encourage one another
‘So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault’ (v.19, MSG).
Always act in love
‘If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love’ (v.15). ‘So be sensitive and courteous ... Don’t eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love’ (v.21, MSG).
Disputable matters are important, but not as important as what unites us all: ‘For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit’ (v.17). This is what really matters. Let us not get caught up in arguments about disputable matters, which divide the church and put off those outside the church.
We need to follow the words of the medieval writer Rupertus Meldenius, ‘On the essentials, unity; on the non-essentials, freedom; in everything, love.’
Lord, I pray for a new unity in the church. Help us to focus today and each day on what the kingdom of God is really about: righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
1. In everything, love. Amen. Thank You for Your faithfulness, for Your unending love for me. Hallelujah!
2. People come for a season, indeed. Thank You for bringing good-natured people in my life.
3. Thank You for yummy crabs along the streets and chocolatey ice cream for dessert.
