November 5, 2017
Evening Service

This morning as we began chapter 14 Paul warned us of some potential problems that could occur within the church.  We walk together on the same path that leads to God, but we are not all at the same place on that path.  Each of us has his own history and background that has led to some different opinions and convictions in serving our Savior.  Paul encouraged us not to “dispute over doubtful things.”  He brought up choosing to eat meat or choosing not to or worshiping on Saturday instead of Sunday. These are personal convictions we need to decide for ourselves, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and then be true to them in our heart.  The issue that was and is occurring is that one group would judge the other.  He told each of us to “be fully convinced in our mind” that what we were doing is right.  That is done by studying your Bible and using it as a filter for all that you do.  Tonight we get into the part of this chapter that he further explains the conflict that occurs when we judge one another for our choices.  To put this into perspective here is what Jesus said about judging others in the Sermon on the Mount.

 Matthew 7:1-5 Judge not, that you may not be judged.  (2)  For with whatever judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with whatever measure you measure out, it shall be measured to you again.  (3)  And why do you look on the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but do not consider the beam that is in your own eye?  (4)  Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull the splinter out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye?  (5)  Hypocrite! First cast the beam out of your own eye, and then you shall see clearly to cast the splinter out of your brother's eye.

·         This certainly paints a clear picture for us doesn’t it?  We need to be in prayer and show some wisdom before we try to fix something we think is broken in someone else.  If this is a sin issue, we are obligated to confront our brother, but if not choose your battle wisely.

·          In the past, and even some now, when someone is saved it seems every Christian he met had to share with them some personal conviction that they felt was vital to salvation.  “You have to be sanctified, where a tie or a dress, cut your hair, quit smoking and quit drinking.”  It gave the newly converted person the feeling that there was something more he had to do to assure his salvation; which isn’t true.  They, like the Pharisees, want to create their convictions to be rules and regulations on equal standing with God’s Word. Let’s not put the beam that is in our eye in our brother’s as well. We are saved by faith alone, not of works.

·         Now let’s return to Romans 14 and see how Paul finishes that conversation for us.

 

  Romans 14:10-12 But why do you judge your brother? Or also why do you show contempt for your brother? For all shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  (11)  For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God."  (12)  So then each one of us will give account concerning himself to God.

 

 

 

 

·         Each of us will stand before God and give account concerning our life to Him.  I will answer for what I have or have not done and your will answer for yourself.  We are not our brothers’ judge we are the one judged from God.  It is important that we realize that and don’t spend our time judging and criticizing others rather than looking in the mirror more often and examining ourselves. We just may see a 2x4 in our eye distorting our vision.  Paul now begins to summarize this whole issue.

 

Romans 14:13-15  Then let us not judge one another anymore, but rather judge this, not to put a stumbling-block or an offense toward his brother.  (14)  I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing unclean of itself; except to him who considers anything to be unclean, then it is unclean.  (15)  But if your brother is grieved with your food, you no longer walk according to love. Do not with your food destroy him for whom Christ died.

·         Though we do answer only to God for our actions, it doesn’t mean we can ignore our brothers around us.  Is it worth proving our point that we have the freedom to eat meat if it causes our brother to stumble in his faith?  Certainly not!  Paul told the Corinthian church this:

 

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 Therefore whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  (32)  Give no offense, either to the Jews, or to the Greeks or to the church of God; (33) even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.

·         Our perspective is to be much bigger than whether I have the freedom to do something or not.  We should be aware of others and not only have our mind on ourselves.  We are to seek not to offend our brother even if we are in the right.  It is not about me.  I am part of God’s world; He is not part of mine.  Paul said “I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some.” (I Cor. 9:22)  We too must think this way.

 

Romans 14:16-18  Then do not let your good be spoken evil of,  (17)  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  (18)  For he who serves Christ in these things is well-pleasing to God, and approved by men.

·         Do you want to be well-pleasing to God and approved by men?  Place righteousness, peace and joy high on your list of things to display in your life.  Don’t create problems with your brothers over little things that really don’t matter.  What you may think is good for them may be perceived as evil by them.  Rather than focus on what you feel they are doing wrong, encourage them in what they are doing right.  How does that work out?

 

Romans 14:19-21  So then let us pursue the things of peace, and the things for building up one another.  (20)  Do not undo the work of God for food. Truly, all things indeed are clean, but it is bad to the man eating because of a stumbling-block.  (21)  It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything by which your brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak. 

·         Our lives of being a “living sacrifice” pursues peace and seeks to build up his brother not tear him down.  Isn’t it better to abstain from something rather that to offend your brother.  Don’t invite your brother who feels drinking alcohol is wrong to your house and then drink wine in front of him. Your liberty then becomes a stumbling block to him and a weakness in his eyes towards your witness to him. 

 

Romans 14:22-23 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Blessed is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.  (23)  But, the one doubting, if he eats, he has been condemned, because it is not of faith; and all that is not of faith is sin.

·         Paul says we are blessed if we do only things that we have a clear conscience in doing.  Though we know it to be right, yet know it may offend our brother; we are blessed to abstain from it for their sake.

·         He closes this chapter with a definition of sin.  If we can’t do something in total faith without doubt, then if we do it then it is sin. If God is dealing with your heart to avoid something, you need to obey Him and avoid it.  Do not, however, look down on others who feel it is okay.  Let our conscience be clear before God and our brothers.  Judge yourself that you be not judged.

 

In summary, we all have our own opinions and convictions.  Be true to them, but don’t push them upon others or judge them for not thinking as you do.  Living in these end times we are faced with plenty of trials and temptations from the world around us.  Don’t let problems and conflicts burden us down that originate within our own body.  Build up your brother, don’t tear him down.

 

Father, thank You that You are the Judge and we are not.  Please help us to live a life that both glorifies You and edifies our brothers.