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The theme of Romans 14 is responsibility. As we approach the end of this great letter to the Romans, Paul has one more major point he wants to impart to those who will listen. It is the way Christians accept or fail to accept other Christians. Paul considers this subject to be very important, for he devotes one and a half chapters to it. The command to love and accept other Christians should be foremost in our hearts and minds as we work in unity with Christ and His children. Christians are the family of God, and just as in a family there will be members who can handle more responsibility there will also be members who are learning how to walk. We do not judge the young children of a family because they cannot do certain tasks. We know that there is a maturing process and our role as parents is to guide and instruct them to become mature adults. Christians should not pass judgment on or condemn weaker believers. Paul is trying to help us understand the divisive nature of disputable matters. What are disputable matters? Those truths and principles which are not essential for salvation and about which the Bible does not give definite instruction. Christians can disagree on certain issues without being disagreeable, arrogant, or contemptuous. Our one master is Christ. It is He whom we serve. Our relationship with other believers is to love and support them as Christ loved us. A church that teaches the complete gospel should not be divided by nonessential personal choices. In Paul's day Christians were judgmental about eating habits and days of worship. In our day we sometimes superficially judge other Christians about styles of worship, music, or the clothes they wear. We should not let divisions form in the church over such issues. Christians have a responsibility to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to an unbelieving world. Unfortunately we can sometimes spend far too much time grumbling against each other instead of focusing on the incredible task that God desires for us to accomplish. We have the ability to serve others as Jesus would, with a humble and meek heart. That ability does not come from us as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:30. "It is because of Him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption." The concept of humble service to others was so important to Jesus that He spent much of the final evening with His disciples, showing them the extent of His love. In John 13, after Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He told them that He was setting an example of servant leadership. The world will take notice of Christians as we follow Jesus' example and demonstrate our love in service and acceptance of others. Although in Christ we have freedom from rituals and rules, we must use our freedom in a way that is supportive and encouraging of others. We should not use our freedom in a way that might cause others to regard it as an excuse to do whatever we please. Each one of us should be convinced in our own mind that what we do is done with a clear conscience before God. Life is short; we know earthly pleasures are not only passing, but in many cases deceiving and destructive. In any case, they will be vastly overshadowed by the far greater joys of heaven. Let us take hold of our freedom in Christ and seek in His strength to do all we can to build each other. Romans 14:10-11 tells us that each person will stand before God's judgment seat, and on that day "every knee will bow and every tongue confess to God." We can all trust that God's judgment will be just, for that is part of who God is and what He does. This fact should help us stop passing judgment on one another since it is not our place to judge anyone else's servant. "To his own master he stands of falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." (Romans 14:4) Certainly, there is a deep and unavoidable chasm between those who know Jesus Christ as Savior and those who do not, a division between life and death, heaven and hell. But this division should not exist between believers. In John 17:22 Jesus prays, "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one." Christians must examine their hearts and lifestyle to see if they are putting stumbling blocks between themselves and other Christians. Do our thoughts or actions reflect a pious, self-righteous, judgmental attitude toward our weaker brothers and sisters? Or is our desire to come alongside them, striving together to encourage and uphold in prayer those who are growing in Christ? Practical Christianity will only be lived out as we place our needs at the foot of the cross and help and encourage others to do the same. In Romans 14:17, Paul writes, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." This verse explains what our lives can look like as lived out by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rather than putting stumbling blocks in our brother's and sister's way, we will consider their needs before ours. As Christians prayerfully seek God, His righteousness, peace, and joy will be reflected in our lives. God offers us the righteousness of Jesus Christ Himself. The offer is given through faith, which is the channel by which sinners receive Christ's righteousness from God. Our peace with God is a gift that comes with salvation. Peace in our circumstances is a process that develops as the believer learns to praise, thank and petition God. (see Philippians 4:6-7) The joy of our salvation lies in the grace of God. Nehemiah proclaimed this great truth, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) Christians are to serve God with a clear conscience. Our conscience becomes clear as we trust that our sins are forgiven. Sin will always affect your ministry to others. We should continually examine ourselves in prayer as King David did in Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." Our relationship with other Christians should be helping and building the church of Jesus Christ. We must strive to make every effort that leads to peace and mutual edification of each believer. God is actively building His
temple, the church, on earth. We do not know what is going on inside
hearts as the Holy Spirit creates new life and adds individuals to the
temple. We may not even fully realize the part we are playing as we
seek to build and encourage others. But we must be willing to lay aside
petty differences, prejudices, and fear as we labor in love for others.
We are God's workmen, laboring together with Jesus Christ. We have the
privilege to do our part in building His temple. In Matthew 16:15,
Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say I am?" Peter answers, "You
are the Christ, the Son of the living God." This truth is our firm
foundation. We must do our part of the building well, with the
righteousness, peace, and joy that comes from being in the Holy Spirit.
Christ has called us to be servants, living in faith, loving and caring
for each other. Pray that all Christians would live by faith and act in
love as we draw our strength from Christ.
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