Romans 14:13-19

                                                             Romans 14:13-19

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

 

Dealing with differences in the body of Christ continues to be the theme of this chapter.  Paul has been striving to help us live according to our convictions while not judging others in light of the future judgment.  He continues this same theme but from a little different angle.  He takes a more active approach in explaining how we should make decisions about these questionable areas in our lives.  There are two basic principles by which we should make these decisions.

 

LIMIT LIBERTY: In Christ we have great liberties that we are free to enjoy.  However, there are times, for the cause of Christ, that we may need to limit our liberties.  Not everyone will have the same freedom in certain areas for the sake of conscience.  If we flaunt our freedoms before these people, we run the risk of becoming a stumbling block to those people.  Paul recognized that there was great freedom in Christ but that for people who considered a certain thing to be unclean, it truly was unclean for them.  So, if we exercise our freedom in front of a person who considered that freedom to be wrong, we are tempting them to do wrong, offending them, causing them to judge us, and failing to love our brother in Christ well.  We are called to love and to do all we can to help our brothers in Christ in their walk with Him.  This love will require us to limit our liberty for the sake of another person for whom Christ died.

 

PURSUE PEACE: When we flaunt our liberties instead of limit them, we cause division in the body of Christ. Our calling is to promote the righteousness of one another and to pursue peace with other.  These things are much more important than eating and drinking the things that we believe we have the liberty to enjoy.  Our true joy comes from being submissive to Spirit of God.  He is the source of true peace and joy in our lives.  When we live for the well-being of others, God is pleased with our lives, and we promote healing in our own interpersonal relationships.  The things that preserve the peace within the body will help edify the body.  We are called to build each other up, not tear one another down through the exercising of our liberties.  

 

APPLICATION: When in doubt about exercising a Christian liberty, don’t do it.  Don’t try to convince others about certain areas of liberty or try to make ourselves feel better by tempting our brothers to live according to our standards.  Make loving and peaceful relationships with one another a priority in our lives.

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