Life, Love, and Liberty
Romans 14:10-23
Intro: John Wooden won several college basketball championships in a row while at UCLA. He was once asked, ‘What does it take to make a winning team? 3 Things:
1) Get players in right condition (right with God/Salvation/Worship)
2) Team them the fundamentals (Discipleship)
3) Teach them to play together as a team (fellowship/ministry)
Church needs to learn lesson #3 especially. (Adapted from Guy McGraw, sermoncentral)
The church has caused unnecessary hurt by imposing greater laws on believers than God has.
-There was a time Christians opposed the radio because Satan is the god of the air.
-Christians fight over “King James only” translation.
-Can a mature Christian drink or smoke?
-Can a mature Christian play a game of cards or use dice?
-Can a mature Christian go to the movie theatre?
-In my younger years I’ve known and been in churches that were against bowling, TV, women wearing pants, men having long hair, and many other rules & regulations.
-The story is told about a Catholic priest who was walking down an alley behind his church when a thief jumped out from behind some garbage cans and pressed the muzzle of his gun into the priest’s ribs.
The thief said, “Give me your wallet!”
Without hesitation, the priest went and reached for his wallet in the front pocket of his coat. It was then the thief got a glimpse of his collar.
“Are you a priest,” the thief asked?
“Yes I am,” said the priest.
“Well, put your wallet back,” the thief said. “I don’t rob priests. I am Catholic too.”
At that point, the relieved Catholic priest pulled out 2 cigars and offered one to the thief. The repentant thief responded, “Oh no, I could not do that. Smoking is wrong and I can’t believe you would do such an evil thing!”
Sometimes people have convictions about certain things, but fail to deal with the things that really matter in their lives. (Scott Kircher, sermoncentral.com)
AUGUSTINE: In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity or love. The message Paul is delivering in this section of Romans 14 is the same message he gives in 1 Corinthians 13: The greatest of these is love! Just as mercy triumphs over judgment, so love trumps liberty! Thank God for your freedoms, especially the freedom to worship Him from your heart in a free country. But hold your personal liberties loosely while holding tightly to the 2nd greatest commandment – loving one another.
-Let’s look at some guidelines to help us sort out how we can be free in Christ without creating bondage for someone else.
1. Stop Judging One Another over matters of personal preference
Romans 14:10-13a 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.
-Around 1928 Donald Grey Barnhouse was preaching at a Conference. He was approached by some older women who were upset that some of the younger women were not wearing stockings. He responded: The virgin Mary never wore stocking! ‘She didn’t’ In fact they were first worn in the 15th century in Italy by prostitutes. ‘OH’ It was a scandal when a wealthy woman wore then to an upper class ball. Finally Queen Victory wore them and they became the badge of a prude. (Guy McGraw, sermoncentral)
-Since we will all stand before God and give an account to Him, Paul says we should stop trying to take God’s chair! Now, let me clarify this. As I said last week, we aren’t talking about issues that are clearly outlined in Scripture. We are talking about disputable matters that are open for debate. If another believer falls into immorality or some other type of sin, we are not supposed to close our eyes to it and just leave it up to God. We have an obligation to lovingly approach one another and seek to restore the one who strays from following Jesus.
-But regarding matters of conscience or personal opinions, we should not pass judgment on one another, in essence re-writing the moral code for everyone else based on our own way of seeing things. Some things will bother you that will not bother someone else. Some things may seem okay to you, but someone else might think that only a heathen would do such things! If you typically land on the more permissive side of things, God’s word through Paul here is that you should avoid looking down on those who don’t feel as free in Christ as you apparently do. If you land on the more restrictive side, avoid judging or condemning those who don’t seem to be as conscientious as you are about staying far away from anything questionable. Most of these guidelines we’re covering today seem to be more directed at those who seem to have more liberty, but I think we can all apply them to our lives in some way. There will always be someone who has a longer list of rules than you do. Don’t automatically write them off as legalists or Pharisees. Don’t you think God had a hand in their spiritual development and formation? Love allows us to be agreeable and considerate – even if we disagree!
2. Do not let your freedom hinder the spiritual progress of another believer
Romans 14:13b Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
-Some people misunderstand what Paul is saying here. Paul is not saying, "If your freedom irritates another Christian, give up your freedom." A stumbling block is something that trips a person up in their walk with Jesus, causing them to fall away from their faith (Moo 851; Schreiner 734). And the Greek word for "destroy" in v. 15 refers to total ruin or utter destruction, and usually used of people who end up forever separated from God (Cranfield 2:715). So Paul is talking about more than hurting someone’s feelings or irritating a person’s preferences. He’s talking about injuring a Christian’s spiritual life to the extent that they risk falling away from their faith in Christ. (Timothy Peck, sermoncentral)
-That being said, we need to remember that it is not all about us! It is possible that your freedom can establish a precedent of compromise in the mind of another Christian. Your freedoms may appear to be sins in the eyes of another believer (and sometimes in the eyes of some who are not yet believers). So if you live your life based on what you think is right for you and do not consider how your actions may impact your brother or sister in Christ, you may cause them to begin a pattern of compromise in their own lives. Or perhaps someone who doesn’t know Christ yet may see you exercising your freedom in Christ and see your Christianity as a fraud because they believe your behavior is wrong. Sometimes non-Christians consider a certain set of activities as wrong or as something a real Christian would not do.
-So the issue goes deeper than simply causing someone else to sin in a given area of weakness. For example, if a Christian sees no problem with an occasional glass of wine or beer or other alcoholic beverage, the danger isn’t just that they might cause a recovering alcoholic to return to their addiction. The danger is that another weak Christian might believe that you have crossed a moral boundary and follow what they see as your example in other areas. They may never touch alcohol, but they might say, “Well, Tom is a Christian and drinks beer and wine, so I guess it’s okay for me to cross some lines as well.” And even if they aren’t being immoral or sinful, if they begin to go against their conscience in one area, it becomes easier to do it in other areas. That leads us to this next thought.
3. Avoid violating your conscience or asking others to do so
Romans 14:14-16 14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.
-Because most meat in gentile areas was first sacrificed to idols and not killed in keeping with Kosher laws, and because wine was also made apart from Kosher specifications, “Jews simply refrained from meat and wine when questionable, ate vegetables and drank water, or brought their own food and wine. Thus, while Jews saw themselves adapting a kind and accommodating posture…gentiles generally saw things differently….The underlying separatism and notable judgment of their lifestyles often offended gentiles…” (Mark Nanos, The Mystery of Romans, p. 57)
-Although Paul agrees theologically with those who say that there’s no such thing as unclean food, he warns us that this issue is not just about theology. There are relationships at stake in this issue. Probably, Paul is here echoing Jesus’ teaching that it’s not what goes into a person that makes that person unclean, but that it’s what comes out of the heart that defiles us. In fact, Mark 7:19 tells us, "in saying this, Jesus declared all foods ’clean.’"
-We need to recognize that God gave us a conscience for a reason – so we can discern the difference between right and wrong. What’s right for me may not be right for everybody – unless there is a clear moral guideline in Scripture. If I insist on my rights or freedom to do something, but fail to be concerned about what impact my actions have on those around me, I am not acting in love. In fact, I could very well be destroying the faith of someone around me.
-Even if I successfully defend myself and prove my freedom from Scripture I may still be leading someone down the path of compromise, which can derail them in their faith.
-So, if I am troubled about a certain behavior, I do not need to try to convince myself that it is okay for me, simply because other Christians are doing it. If I truly have some doubts about it, then I should avoid it. And if I have no problem with it, I still need to be careful not to impose my freedom in that area on someone who has a personal conviction about it. It really comes down to this next thought as our guiding principle.
4. Live under God’s rule, not self rule
Romans 14:17-18 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
-As much as I enjoy eating, I’d be no worse off if I never ate another prime rib, BLT, or bratwurst. Spiritually speaking, it is not what we eat or drink or do or avoid doing that makes us right with God. We are made right with God because of our faith in Jesus. Then we have peace with God and with one another. And the result of living and walking in the Holy Spirit is joy!
-God’s kingdom, living under God’s rule is what following Jesus is all about! But it is not following a list of rules. It is entering into a relationship with God through Jesus. And when Jesus has forgiven me and become the leader of my life, I no longer have the final word in my life. The Lord does! He is my King! He is my Lord! He gives me grace, mercy to give to others, peace that passes understanding, and joy that comes from being right with Him!
-When God is the ruler of your life, and we break free from selfish, egocentric living, God is pleased, and even those around us notice the difference.
5. Do whatever leads to peace and to mutual edification
Romans 14:19-21 19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
-The phrase “make every effort” means “to follow or press hard after or pursue with earnestness and diligence in order to obtain an objective…like a runner in a race exerting with every fiber within him to reach the goal.” One paraphrase puts it like this: “So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other.” Brian Bill
-The word “edification” is a construction term that was used to describe a building going up brick by brick or the process of making a structure stronger to improve its usefulness and extend its longevity. This is talking about strengthening it and fortifying the church community. The opposite word is used in v. 20, the word "destroy" that’s also a construction term for tearing down a building, like a demolition team.
- This tearing down often happens in a marriage. There was a couple who had an argument while they were driving down a country road. Neither of them was saying anything because they were both too mad to talk. But when they passed a barnyard full of mules, the wife sarcastically asked, “Relatives of yours?” Without missing a beat, the husband replied. “Yep. In-laws.” (Brian Bill, sermoncentral.com)
-Whether we like to admit it or not, our actions as followers of Jesus either strengthen or weaken our church. We like to think that our lives are entirely private and individual, that the church community isn’t really affected by our choices. But the Bible clearly teaches that what we do in our spiritual life has a significant impact on our church community. This is at least part of what the Bible means when it calls the church "the body of Christ." When we refuse to use our freedom to pursue love, our church community is weakened. When a group of people refuses to pursue love, the church community is significantly weakened, they become a kind of demolition team. In fact, when an entire group refuses to pursue love it can totally destroy a church. (Timothy Peck, sermoncentral.com)
-Jackie Robison was the first African American to play in the Major league. During his first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie received constant verbal abuse and jeering from the fans. During a home game in Brooklyn, Jackie made an error. Even Jackie’s own fans started jeering and ridiculing him, and he just stood with head down in shame. As the fans shouted insults, the Dodger short stop “Pee Wee” Reese walked over, put his arm around Jackie, and then turned and faced the crowd. The crowd was immediately silent, and Robinson later said that the arm around his shoulder saved his career. (Dan Borchert, sermoncentral.com) Let’s build up, not tear down!
6. Personal convictions need not always be shared
Romans 14:22a So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.
-Again, you have nothing to prove. Don’t flaunt your freedoms! Don’t try to persuade everyone around you to embrace your freedoms! Some things are better left unsaid.
-It’s helpful for me to remember that “my response is my responsibility and your response is your responsibility.” In his book called, Grace Awakening, Chuck Swindoll quotes an unknown author:
To let go doesn’t mean to stop caring; it means I can’t do it for someone else.
To let go is not to cut myself off; it’s the realization that I can’t control another.
To let go is not to try to change or blame another; I can only change myself.
To let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all outcomes, but to allow others to effect their own outcomes.
To let go is not to deny, but to accept.
To let go is not to nag, scold, or argue, but to search out my own shortcomings and to correct them. (Brian Bill, sermoncentral.com)
-Keep your personal convictions personal! There may be times when you share them with others, but don’t make it a habit of airing them out.
7. Live by faith!
Romans 14:22b-23 Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
-When in doubt, leave it out! What one person counts as freedom could become vice for the one who goes against his God-given conscience.
12 biblical tests for Godly behavior.
1. THE WORLD TEST. Is it worldly? Will it make me worldly to do it (John 15:19, 1 John 2:15-17)?
2. THE QUALITY TEST. Is it good for me physically, emotionally, and spiritually (Romans 12:9b)?
3. THE TEMPLE TEST. Can I do it when I remember my body is God’s temple and must not be marred or misused (1Corinthians 6:19)?
4. THE GLORY TEST. Will it glorify my Lord, or will it on the other hand possibly bring shame to His name (1Corinthians 6:20, 10:32)?
5. THE BLESSING TEST. Can I honestly ask God’s blessing on it and be sure I’ll not regret doing it (Proverbs 10:22, Romans 15:29)?
6. THE REPUTATION TEST. Will it damage my testimony for the Lord (Philippians 2:15)?
7. THE CONSIDERATION TEST. Am I being considerate of others and the effect this might have on them (Romans 14:7, 21)?
8. THE APPEARANCE TEST. Will it look bad? Does it have the appearance of what is wrong or suspicious (1Thessalonians 5:22)?
9. THE WEIGHT TEST. Could this activity slacken or sidetrack me in running the Christian race (Hebrews 12:1, 1 Corinthians 9:24)?
10. THE COMING OF CHRIST TEST. Would I be ashamed to be found doing this when He comes again (1 John 2:28)?
11. THE COMPANION TEST. Can I invite Christ to go with me and participate with me in this (Matthew 28:20b, Colossians 3:17)?
12. THE PEACE TEST. After having prayed about it, do I have perfect peace about doing it (Colossians 3:15, Philippians 4:6-7)?
(Bible.org: “Basic Bible Beliefs,” Bible Baptist Church, Auburn, Wn., 1975, unpublished).
Close: Perhaps you need to make some things right with another believer. You may have had some differences and said some things, and you’ve tried to move on, but the air is far from clear. You have an obligation to clear the air if you want the best for the church, the other person, and yourself.
-Leonardo Da Vinci, just before he commenced work on his “Last Supper” had a violent argument with a fellow painter. Leonardo was so bitter that he decided to paint the face of his enemy, the other artist, into the face of Judas, and thus take his revenge by handing the man down in infamy and scorn to succeeding generations. The face of Judas was, therefore, one of the first he finished. Everyone could easily recognize it as the face of the painter with whom he had quarreled. Yet when he came to paint the face of Christ, he could make no progress. Something seemed to be baffling him, holding him back, frustrating his efforts. Finally he came to the conclusion that the thing that was frustrating him was that he had painted the face of his enemy onto the face of Judas. He painted out the face of Judas and was then able to resume his work on the face of Jesus and this time did it with the success that the ages have acclaimed. When Da Vinci moved past his will to take revenge and made the right response instead, he broke the power of hatred and allowed Christ to be seen!
(Illustration taken from Jeeva Sam on semoncentral.com)
-A father was trying to read a magazine but was bothered by his daughter who kept asking him what the United States looked like. On the back of his magazine he found a map of the country and so he tore it up into real small pieces and told her to go in the other room and put it together. He thought this would keep her busy for a long time so he could finish reading his magazine. In less than five minutes, his daughter was back with the map completely put together. He was surprised and asked her how she did it. She replied, “It was easy. On the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together.”
As we put Jesus where He belongs in our life, our family, our community, our church, and our world, we will come together as well (Brian Bill, sermoncentral.com)
-Do you need to put Jesus where He belongs? Is He your forgiver? Is He the Leader of your life? Are you living for Him or for yourself? How are you treating those around you for whom Jesus died? Are you judging them because they do things you think are wrong – even though the Bible doesn’t say so? Are you looking down on them because they seem to have too many rules for your liking? You may need to ask God to forgive you today, but you may also need to ask a person to forgive you for not caring enough about them to change the way you think about them and respond to them.
-If the world will know whose disciples we are based on our love for one another, how are we doing? Do people see you loving the Christians around you who might think differently than you do about how we should live? Or do they see you doing your own thing?
-I encourage you to take some time to talk to the Lord and ask Him to show you what is in your heart. And then, if He reveals some wrong attitudes and judgmentalism, ask Him to forgive you and change your heart.
