Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Free to Do What” Romans 14:1-15:12 with other selected passages
Review
Last time we blitzed through 35 verses of instruction regarding how we should respond to those whose convictions lead them to different conclusions and practice. See last week’s notes for a description of the situation. I give you a simplified version of the passage.
1. Embrace each other in spite of differences stop despising and judging 1-4
WHY? Because…
? God already welcomed both the “strong” and the “weak” Christian
? Who are we to reject or judge whom God welcomes?
? God is the Master not us
2. Focus on personal convictions and motives
WHY? Because…
? Our lives should revolve around the Lord not ourselves 7-9
? Each person will give account to God as the ultimate Judge
3. Build each other up don’t break each other down 14:13-21
? Beware of causing the weak to stumble 13
? Don’t let your convictions be considered evil by its damage to others 16
? Don’t destroy or tear down the weaker brother over food 15,20
? Pursue peace and the building up of one another
WHY? Because…
? If we perceive something to be sinful it becomes sinful so don’t pressure them to do things your way 14
? If we perceive something clean but it hurts others it then becomes sinful 15, 20
? The heart of the kingdom is not eating and drinking but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit 17
? A kingdom focus pleases both God and men 18
? It is good to abstain from things that cause others to stumble 21
A clarification is in order at this juncture. Paul warns against something more than just hurting someone’s feelings or irritating a person’s personal sense of propriety or cultural preference. He addresses injuring a Christian’s spiritual life to the extent that they risk falling away or stumbling in their faith. If we stopped doing something just because it violates someone’s personal preference concerning non-essential issues we would not do anything and come under a new kind of bondage to the whims of people. Paul warns against causing severe damage to one’s faith and walk with God by our actions or by what we try to convince them to do that actually violates some sincerely held personal conviction. That is why Paul urges us each to embrace and practice our own convictions.
4. Live by faith according to your own convictions 22
WHY? Because…
? Blessed is the one who lives by their good convictions 22b
? Violation of personal convictions brings condemnation 23a
? Whatever is done apart from faith (trust) is sin 23b
5. Focus on pleasing others not self 15:1-4
? Live to bear the weaknesses of the weak and not please ourselves
? Each person should live to please their neighbor 2
WHY? Because…
? Christ set an example for all of us by not pleasing Himself and bearing the punishment for our sin 3
? Hope comes through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures 4
Prayer for Family unity 15:5-6
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
The central focus of this passage is glorifying God by a unified testimony. People will know we are Christians by our love for one another. Unity demonstrates the true nature of Christ’s power. Paul’s summary instruction to those struggling with differences regarding non-essentials...
Accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
Such unity brings glory to God because it is the opposite of life in a fallen, sinful world; a world of pride, selfishness, fighting and broken relationships.
Jesus came to unify both Jews and Gentiles as a people for his own possession to glorify God with one voice for His wonderful salvation.
Sermon in a sentence
Warmly welcome and embrace one another in spite of our differences and determine to pursue only those things which produce growth not grief.
Introduction
Having mined the truth of the original focus of this passage concerning unity in the face of differences, I want to spend the rest of our time today delving into this passage and others in search of insight into the whole issue of Christian liberty. On what basis did the Gentiles feel free to eat anything? What did Paul mean when he said that he was convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself? How can we determine whether something is right or wrong, good or bad when Scripture dos not specifically prohibit it or prescribe it?
Seven Guiding Principles
1. The Principle of personal conviction
Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. Romans 14:5
I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus…; Romans 14:14
Through the truth of Scripture and his relationship with Christ, Paul came to personal conclusions and convictions concerning the issues of diet and days.
2. The Principle of personal accountability
We will personally be held accountable not only for what we did but why we did it.
But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God."
So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10-12
Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God. 1 Cor. 4:5
3. The Principle of Lordship
We belong to the Lord. We live for Him. We serve Him. He is Lord of everything we do.
For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Romans 14:7-9
4. The Principle of salvation by faith
If we insist on trying to earn God’s favor by keeping the Law we must come to grips with the fact that we must keep the WHOLE law perfectly to become acceptable. God accepts us solely on the basis of faith in the work of Christ who fulfills the law in us.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:2-4
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:1-5
For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:10-14
Paul addressed the question of circumcision as a means of earning favor with God.
Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:2-15
5. The Principle of inherent purity
This follows the same idea as -- “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.”
Things that God created are not unclean, unclean people make them unclean.
We think that things defile us.
More often it is unclean people that defile clean things.
I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 14:14 All things indeed are clean…14:20
Concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. 1 Cor. 8:4-6
6. The Principle of shadow and substance
Special diet and days had their place as pictures of spiritual realities.
The advent of Christ (the reality) brought a new relationship to those things.
Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.
If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. Col. 2:16-23
When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable. And He said to them, "Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?" (Thus He declared all foods clean.) And He was saying, "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. "All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." Mark 7:17-23
Food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. 1 Cor. 8:8-9
Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited. Hebrews 13:9
A voice came to him, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat! (Animals deemed unclean by the Law))" But Peter said, "By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean." Again a voice came to him a second time, "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy." Acts 10:13-15
7. The Principle of abstinence and avoidance of evil
Christ has truly set us free, but that does not mean we sin because we are free. The newly regenerated heart has a new desire to serve in the newness of the spirit. Even though we have liberty in Christ, we are encouraged to avoid those things that hinder the race that God sets before us. Hebrews encourages us to lay aside every sin and encumbrance that trips us on the way. Even though the early church council declared that it was not necessary for Gentiles to adhere to the Jewish laws in order to be saved, they did urge them to avoid some things that might be of harm to their life.
"For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell."
So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. Acts 15:28-32
This is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality 1 Thes. 4:3
Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thes. 5:21-22
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." 2 Tim. 2:19
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 1 Pe 2:11
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. Romans 13:14
Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 2 Tim. 2:14-16
Avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Titus 3:9
"The one who desires life, to love and SEE GOOD DAYS, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. "He must turn away from evil and do GOOD; he must seek peace and pursue it.
"For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:10-12
“Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good.” Rom 12
Having laid a foundation of guiding principles by which we should live, how are we to determine whether an activity or practice is right or wrong in the absence of specific Biblical reference? The question of what is wrong with it must also be balanced with the question what is right with it.
Ten Good Tests
These ten tests are like filters. Pour your lifestyle, your behavior, and your convictions through these filters and see what comes out at the end. What comes out at the end will be pure in God’s eyes and bring eternal benefit.
1. The Test of God’s glory
Will this glorify God? Will this cause others to gain a deeper appreciation of the person, presence and power of God?
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. Romans 15:5-7
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved. 1 Cor. 10:31-33
2. The Test of motivation and gratitude
Am I doing this (or not doing something) as an expression of my devotion and gratitude to God? Can I honestly say I am doing it TO THE LORD, to honor Him and express my love for Him? It is not a reluctant expression but one that flows out of a grateful and willing heart.
One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord, and he who eats, does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. Romans 14:5-9
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Col. 3:17
For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude 1 Tim 4:5
3. The Test of love vs. selfishness
Does it show my love and concern for others? Will it hurt others? Will it build up or tear down? Is it designed to primarily give me pleasure or will it benefit my neighbor?
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME." Romans 15:1-3
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Galatians 5:2-15
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; Romans 14:13-16
Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. Romans 14:20-21
Not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble. 1 Cor. 8:7-13
Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. 1 Cor 10:24
Even though I am free in Christ, for the sake of love I choose to abstain.
4. The Test of creation -- Nothing God made should be shunned
Is this something instituted by God or made by Him?
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.
1 Tim. 4:1-5
Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience' sake; FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND ALL IT contains. 1 Cor 10:24
If God welcomes someone, who am I to reject them. If God created something, who am I to reject it or treat it as unclean. We should not impose restrictions on what God no longer restricts.
5. The Test of faith
Is this practice consistent with a firmly held conviction or belief? Do I truly believe that this practice results from my trust in God? Are there lingering doubts as to the nature of this practice?
One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. Romans 14:5
The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14:22-23
If in doubt, don’t!
6. The Test of Kingdom Relevance
How does this practice fit with the core kingdom principles of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit?
The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. Romans 14:17-18
Will this practice result in greater righteousness and further kingdom goals? Is this practice more important to me than the kingdom growth?
"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
7. The Test of spiritual benefit or expediency
All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable (beneficial).
All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 1 Cor. 10:23
What benefit will result in this activity? What harm may result from it? Will this activity serve to build my character or deepen my walk with God?
8. The Test of demonic association
What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we? 1 Cor. 10:19-22
This is an interesting passage and concept. On the one hand Paul affirms God’s sovereignty or authority and power over all things and that demonic forces are really nothing compared to Him so they can’t hurt things he has created. On the other hand there is danger associated with things associated with demonic activity.
Moses instructed the people to destroy any spoil taken form the Canaanites that had to do with idol worship lest they be ensnared or defiled by it. I suppose the question here has to do with things that symbolize association or loyalty to Satan’s kingdom. Paul urged the Corinthians to not send mixed messages by the things we approve or participate in. Even though we live in the world we are not to love the world system or its fleeting things. We should send a clear signal that we are fiercely loyal to God and that when we celebrate communion we affirm that loyalty. Therefore we avoid anything that might send a message that our loyalty lies anywhere but in God.
9. The test of greater ministry effectiveness
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. 1 Cor. 9:19-23
Paul voluntarily limited his freedom for the sake of greater ministry effectiveness. He evaluated everything by its effect on the cause of the gospel. He relinquished his rights to certain things in order to win as many as he could. Will this enable me to minister better and reach more people for Christ? Will this hinder ministry and reaching more people for Christ?
10. The Test of a pure heart
To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed. Titus 1:15-16
Unless our heart is right, none of our activity will produce eternal impact. A defiled, sinful heart produces sinful results. The Bible speaks much about the necessity of a pure heart in all we do. When our conscience and heart are pure, even the most mundane of activities can result in eternal impact. Something as common as eating and drinking can bring glory to the Lord when it comes from a pure heart.
Something as wonderful as prayer and worship and given to the Lord becomes a detestable thing to God when my heart is not right and sin remains in my life.
Sermon in a Sentence:
Even though all things are lawful in Christ, not all things benefit or build up
so evaluate your practices according to the principles and tests of Scripture.
Conclusion
I urge you to take some of the things that have become dearly held preferences or even convictions and run them through these ten filters. If it comes out pure by the tenth filter, keep on doing it. If it fails the test, take a hard look at whether it should stay a part of your life.
