We have had justification, both by blood and also in virtue of Christ's resurrection. The circumstances under which the epistle to the Romans was written gave occasion to the most thorough and comprehensive unfolding, not of the church, but of Christianity. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not . Romans 14:20; Mark 7:18-23; 1 Corinthians 10:25-26; 1 Timothy 4:4 and Titus 1:15). Think what thou destroyest--the work of God, whose work is honourable and glorious; think for what thou destroyest it--for meat, which was but for the belly, and the belly for it. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. It was a message that went out from God to sinners as such. It is not the mercy of God., Many have contended that so it is, and to their own great loss, as well as to the weakening of the word of God. Although Christians are free from religious rules and regulations such as those found in Moses law, some have difficulty living with such freedom. instructive and interesting manner the links that grace practically forms and maintains between the saints of God. Romans 14 esv - Do Not Pass Judgment on One Another - Bible Gateway Christian freedom means that we are free to do, not what we like, but what Christ likes. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Rather does it add to his guilt: such is man's evil state and will. He is the guy that I admired the greatest preacher almost in the history of the church. In such a case we must rather cross ourselves than shame ourselves. John Piper Nov 6, 2005. This hope is built upon the power of God, for God is able to make him stand; and, being able, no doubt he is willing to exert that power for the preservation of those that are his own." When Paul penned this letter, he affirmed his right to eat any type of food (14a). Thus it is a mistake to suppose that saints may not be benefited by a better understanding of the gospel, at least as Paul preached it. And this leads us to see not only where there was an analogy with those who believe in a promised Saviour, but also to a weighty difference. Within the Church there was a narrower party and there was a more liberal party. And he gives his reason: "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith." When the Jew came into Christianity he found that all the petty rules and regulations were abolished at one stroke, and the danger was that he might interpret Christianity as a freedom to do exactly as he liked. To those that were under it, to be sure. Doesn't matter to me what day I worship God; I worship the Lord everyday. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby your brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak ( Romans 14:21 ). The terror of every sin is that it starts a new train of evil in the world. This is his reason (Romans 14:17; Romans 14:18), which is reducible to this branch of exhortation. There is nothing unclean - Greek common. This word was used by the Jews to denote what was unclean, because, in their apprehension, whatever was partaken by the multitude, or all people, must be impure. The gospel, instead of treating this as a light matter, alone vindicates God in these eternal ways of His, in that which must be in him who stands in relationship with God. 2. So, then, let it be the things that make for peace that we pursue, and the things which build up one another. Then, in Romans 9:1-33; Romans 10:1-21; Romans 11:1-36, the apostle handles a difficulty serious to any mind, especially to the Jew, who might readily feel that all this display of grace in Christ to the Gentile as much as to the Jew by the gospel seems to make very cheap the distinctive place of Israel as given of God. Whatever they are, and whatever they do, they must give account to their own master, and not to us; if we can in any thing be helpers of their joy, it is well; but we have not dominion over their faith. He cannot dissociate himself from the stock from which he springs and from the rock from which he is hewn. Now I definitely esteem it to be unclean, therefore I could not. Now if Christ paid so dearly for his dominion over souls and consciences, and has such a just and undisputed right to exercise that dominion, we must not so much as seem to invade it, nor intrench upon it, by judging the consciences of our brethren, and arraigning them at our bar. [2.] 14:17-20 Do not allow that good gift of freedom which you possess to become a thing which gets you into disrepute. (13) Judge this rather. If God now accepts thy works, thou mayest eat thy bread with joy. Its feelings should be respected because they ever refer to God, and have their foundation in his fear. Then follows a warning against those who bring in stumbling-blocks and offences. True love would make us tender of their peace and purity, and beget a regard to their consciences as well as to our own. Paul would never have denied that the Lord's Day is a precious day, but he would have been equally insistent that not even it must become a tyranny, still less a fetish. No man remains unwounded when that which he thinks precious is laughed at. The righteousness of God means that God is just, while at the same time He justifies the believer in Christ Jesus. But his views had been changed. One man will genuinely see no harm in playing some outdoor game on Sunday, and he may be right; but another man's conscience is shocked at such a thing, and, if he were persuaded to take part in it, all the time he would have the haunting feeling that he was doing wrong. The downfall of man, when he thus abandoned God, was most rapid and profound; and the Holy Spirit traces this solemnly to the end ofRomans 1:1-32; Romans 1:1-32 with no needless words, in a few energetic strokes summing up that which is abundantly confirmed (but in how different a manner!) Many a one allows himself in practice to do that which yet in his judgment and conscience he condemns himself for--allows it for the sake of the pleasure, profit, or credit of it--allows it in conformity to the custom; and yet whilst he does it, and pleas for it, his own heart gives him the lie, and his conscience condemns him for it. It is true, it is needful for man to learn; but in nowise is it good news. Me apollye. The Right to Yield | Romans 14:13-23 | RayStedman.org Messages on Romans 14 | Desiring God Yes, he will be held up: for God is able to make him stand ( Romans 14:4 ). All the world was guilty before God. In spite of all that, Paul pleads for sympathy between the narrower and the more liberal brethren. Thus, we ought to worship on Saturday, but they don't tell you that is named after the god Saturn.One man esteems one day above another. Paul's admonition for the strong is expressed in verses 21 and 22: "It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. The answer is found in this portion of our epistle (that is, from the middle of chapter 5). If of the particular determination of the efficacy of his death to the elect, then, though none that were given to Christ shall perish (John 6:39), yet thou mayest, as much as is in thy power, destroy such. The gospel, as now revealed in the New Testament, has linked with it, though not contained in it, the revelation of divine wrath from heaven, and this, you will observe, according to Paul's gospel. We all know where it is and must be for the Christian. God was rather provoking Israel to jealousy by the call of the Gentiles. Hence, as is shown later in the chapter, Adam is a head characterized by disobedience, who brought in death, the just penalty of sin; as on the other hand we have Him of whom he was the type, Christ, the obedient man, who has brought in righteousness, and this after a singularly blessed sort and style "justification of life." It is for God's sake, because he is afraid of offending God by eating that which he is sure was once prohibited; and he giveth God thanks too that there is enough besides. The expression means that righteousness which God can afford to display because of Christ's atonement. God grant that none may say that of us because we misused the glory of Christian freedom! He may do it because he does not wish to court ridicule or unpopularity. The end of verse 13 means that instead of judging the opinions of others we must judge ourselves. I heard that preached so much that I was convicted that it was true. And "how shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?" It can be likened to a snare that would entice one from the Faith (CBL, GED, 6:60). He has the terrible power of making others happy or sad by his conduct; he has the still more terrible power of making others good or bad. A neutral thing becomes a right thing only when it is done out of the real, reasoned conviction that it is right. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever.". All his foes shall be constrained to do it, whether they will or no. I won't try and talk you out of your convictions. The future must be brought in by the grace of God; and this he accordingly gives us at the close of Romans 11:1-36. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. On the other hand, he that eatest not those meats which were forbidden by the ceremonial law, to the Lord he eateth not. Not, of course, that the Roman saints were in this condition; but that God, writing by the apostle to them, seizes the opportunity to lay bare man's state as well as His own grace. He is not clear that it is lawful for him to eat swine's flesh (suppose), and yet is drawn, notwithstanding his doubts, to eat it, because he sees others do it, because he would gratify his appetite with it, or because he would not be reproached for his singularity. But some fellow who has convictions that are a little broader than mine and is doing some of the things that I don't feel that I can do as a child of God, I have an awfully hard time not judging him. We must deny ourselves in many cases for the preservation of our credit and reputation, forbearing to do that which we rightly know we may lawfully do, when our doing it may be a prejudice to our good name; as, when it is suspicious and has the appearance of evil, or when it becomes scandalous among good people, or has any way a brand upon it. Of these only a remnant would be saved. Man may be in error, but it would not be proper for him to act in violation of what he supposes God requires. Scripture: Romans 14:16-19. [2.] Paul makes his strongest statement so far about whether it's okay for a Christian to eat certain meatsor drink wine as mentioned in verse 21. Christians are servants of the Lord, and he is able to uphold them even when their fellow Christians might think they will fall (2-4).In addition to keeping food laws, some Jewish Christians observed special holy days. If any judgment is to be formed at all, let it be rather as a principle to guide our own action, and not in the shape of a criticism upon others. Romans 14 - NIV - Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarre It is not a soul's overcoming its difficulties, but a sinner's submission to the righteousness of God. That is fine. This is all perfectly true true of a Jew as of a pagan true of any unrenewed man that never heard of a Saviour. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. The appeal to their own inspired account of Abraham turned into a proof of the consistency of God's ways in justifying by faith, and hence in justifying the uncircumcised no less than the circumcision. But we have had it fully in Romans 3:1-31. First, The work of grace and peace is the work of God; it is wrought by him, it is wrought for him; it is a good work of his beginning, Philippians 1:6. The unbelieving, being polluted within, defile all things by their very touch. And, Paul goes on, if a man is honestly living out his principles as he sees them, God can make him able to stand. Christ is the gain we aim at, living and dying. Loving our neighbor as ourself, and in love. The righteousness of God, then, could now go forth in virtue of His blood. - FSB. Was it not sure and evident that Israel could not take the promise on the ground of mere connection after the flesh? Let it not be! For then Paul would have not have been . He that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he that regards not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. And this lies in the fact that Abraham believed God before he had the son, being fully persuaded that what He had promised He was able to perform. Several kinds of meat were forbidden to the Jews, that in that, as in other things, they might be a peculiar and separate people, Leviticus 11:44; Deuteronomy 14:2; Deuteronomy 14:3. This thought applies even if that meat might not be kosher according to the law, or may have been offered to idols. The answer is, that this will not do one whit better; for when we come down to the next generation, it is apparent that the two sons of Isaac were sons of the same mother; nay, they were twins. Our whole compartment stinking, because one stubborn character wanted to enjoy the pleasure of his cigar. I can eat pork chops. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's ( Romans 14:6-8 ). And for your liberty in eating meat do not destroy the work of God. Have it to thyself before God,Romans 14:22; Romans 14:22. It is the guide to decision-making and points to its moral dimension. Because of love, living a life more stringent than my own personal convictions so that I would not stumble a weaker brother. [2.] He is our Lord, the one that we serve, and thus, the one to whom we will ultimately answer.For every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord. Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. We may apply it more generally. In our study in Romans 14, we are facing again the troublesome question of different views on such matters as dietary restrictions (whether it is all right to eat meat at certain times or days, or whether we should be free from that); on ritual regulations (such as observance of Sunday or other special days, such as Lent); on ceremonies; and esp. One term (kreas), found only in Romans 14:21 and 1 Corinthians 8:13, described flesh (meat). "His friendship did me a mischief," said Burns of the older man he met in Irvine as he learned the art of flax-dressing. Romans 14:1-23 . In this world we live in the unseen presence of Christ; in the next we shall see him in his visible presence. And therefore, First, We have little to do to judge others, for they are not accountable to us, nor are we accountable for them (Galatians 2:6): Whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me, God accepteth no man's person. On the other hand, another, who is weak, is dissatisfied in this point, is not clear in his Christian liberty, but rather inclines to think that the meats forbidden by the law remain still unclean; and therefore, to keep at a distance from them, he will eat no flesh at all, but eateth herbs, contenting himself with only the fruits of the earth. Compare Peter's use in1 Peter 2:10; 1 Peter 2:10. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" (ver. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. Then, from ver. Grace is the soul's cheerful, entire, and avowed subjection to Jesus Christ. [1.] Let man be what he might, or where he might, God's good news was for man. Here emerges one of the definite points of debate in the Roman Church. Rom 5:1. We may take a very simple example. And thus, my relationship to Him is something that He will judge. It is not God seeking, or man bringing righteousness. But the Jew might argue that it was an unjust thing in principle this gospel, these tidings of which the apostle was so full; for why should one man affect many, yea, all? 14 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. He is an amalgam of all that his ancestors made him. 14:13-14: Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brothers way, or an occasion of falling. Next to our compliance with God, the life of religion consists in our complacency in him; to delight ourselves always in the Lord. 14:17). Psalms 19:1-14 is used in the most beautiful manner to insinuate that the limits are the world. God is well pleased with such a one, though he be not in every thing just of our length. Romans 12:1-21 looks at the mutual duties of the saints. They are merely persons who plume themselves on their orthodoxy, but in a wholly unrenewed condition. 2 For instance, one person believes it's all right to eat anything. Anything which loosens the fabric of the church is against God; anything which makes that fabric stronger and more secure is of God. In order to be united certain attitudes and conduct need to either be avoided or included in our character. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized unto Jesus Christ were baptized unto his death?" We are not our own masters, nor our own proprietors--we are not at our own disposal. This was no question of legal obedience, although the law came from Jehovah. It is not even possible to win a man over to our position unless we have a genuine respect for his. Life must be guided by the principle of love; and when it is, we will think, not so much of our right to do as we like as of our responsibilities to others. There is peace. In reference to spiritual difficulties and dangers (our own and others), much of our hope and comfort are grounded upon the divine power, 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 1:24. Do not destroy God's work for the sake of food. Compare verse 6 (where the margin, not the text, is substantially correct) with verse 4. He regards certain meats as forbidden by God; and while he so regards them, it would be wrong for him to partake of them. 14:10-12 Who are you to judge your brother in anything? 14 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. The servant is answerable to his master alone. Or, who are you contemptuously to despise your brother? It is very wrong to regard the narrower person as an old-fashioned fool whose views may be treated with contempt. I hate the smell of someone else's smoke. Romans 14 NIV - The Weak and the Strong - Accept the - Bible Gateway In a sense it is true; but Christianity consists not only in loving God; it consists also in loving our neighbour as ourselves. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? One might know a most real clinging to Jesus; but this would not set the heart at ease with God. Mark 7:15). It is the same form of expression exactly as in the beginning of Romans 5:1-21 "being justified by faith" ( ). Romans 14 - God Likes it When We Think About Others A. Don't judge each other in doubtful things. Paul ends by setting out the Christian aim within the fellowship. It was the Son of God not merely as dealing with the powers of the earth, Jehovah's King on the holy hill of Zion, but after a far deeper manner. It is evident, therefore, that dispensational position will not suffice for God, who holds to His own unchangeable estimate of good and evil, and who judges the more stringently according to the measure of advantage possessed. . What a title, then, God gives me now in beholding Christ, no longer dead but risen, to have it settled before my soul that I am in Him as He now is, where all questions are closed in peace and joy! Though bodily exercise alone profits little, yet, as it is guided by inward fear and reverence, it is accepted. No longer does the question exist of requiring an expiation. He specifies the case in hand, concerning the difference of meats. T. R. Glover somewhere quotes a Cambridge saying: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might--but remember that someone thinks differently." Romans, CHAPTER 14 I would not and do not condemn their smoking as long as they don't do it around me, and then my condemnation is not spiritual, it is just purely physical. How happy were it for the church if those that have a clearness in disputable things would be satisfied to have it to themselves before God, and not impose those things upon others, and make them terms of communions, than which nothing is more opposite to Christian liberty, nor more destructive both to the peace of churches and the peace of consciences. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things whereby we may build up one another. If slurred over, as it too often is in souls, it invariably leaves practical obedience lame, and halt, and blind. Through a microscope he was watching certain of these living things that you can actually see living and dying and begetting others in a moment of time. As to our brethren, it is peace--to live in peace and love, and charity with them, following peace with all men: Christ came into the world to be the great peace-maker. 13). The former is a stumbling-block, that gives our brother a great shake, and is a hindrance and discouragement to him; but this is an occasion to fall.
