035 - Romans 14

Romans 14

 

This chapter is addressing the principle of freedom in Christ. At first, in Christ, no food in itself is unclean (Romans 14.14). However, there are individuals who considered certain types of meat as something unclean, whether because of what is said in the law of Moses or because it had been sacrificed to idols.

 For those who have a weak faith (that is to say, a little love - see Romans 13.8-10), unfortunately there is need to be governed by laws (Galatians 3.23-25). After all, these individuals do not love your neighbor, which implies that they were unable to get enough faith to trust fully in Jesus.

Result: all actions that they commit are sin (Romans 14.23), i.e., always  they act in the sense to isolate themselves increasingly of individuals and of Jesus. These individuals need laws that restrict their actions to the maximum lest, in any case, their actions will lead someone to stumble, be offended or weaken (Romans 14.21).

 These individuals who are trapped in the law of Moses or the things sacrificed to idols, we welcome, not to contend about the insecurity (doubts) that they have about the effectiveness of the love and grace of Christ (Romans 14:1), but to help them to strength their faith.

Who, by their weakness in faith eat vegetables (for fear of the Judaizers or be plagued by an unclean spirit), instead of staying judging that who the Eternal One rose to serve the neighbor (which will be tried and firmed by the Eternal One in the life of whom he was destined to serve - Romans 14.2-4), should continue toward the true faith that will liberate them from the curse of the law.

On the other hand, who believes that they can eat everything must not despise the weak in faith, as they were placed in their lives just to see the perfection that there is in the grace of Christ.

Considering that no one lives or dies for themselves (Romans 14.7), but for the Eternal One (Romans 14.8), therefore the weak (who consider the Sabbath and other days of the year more sacred than others, as well as some foods unfit for consumption) and the mature ones (living under the favor of the Eternal One) in faith should love each other, understand the way each one praising the Eternal One (Romans 14.5.6) and, together, continue toward the unity of faith (Eph 4:11-16).

After all, Jesus died exactly to be Lord both of those who die in faith, as those who live in faith. In other words, never the actions of some human being will hinder the action of Jesus (Job 42.2; Isaiah 43.13; Jeremiah 1.11,12). Since this is so, then what are we afraid?

In addition, we must consider three things:

 

·        Each one shall give account of himself to the Eternal One (Romans 14.12), i.e., you cannot use the other as an excuse for their sins;

·        We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14.10). Imagine how we feel when we are face to face before Jesus with each of the individuals with whom we had contact. Therefore, think hard before you judge or despise your brother. It is far better to feel good things to see each one of them. 

·        "For it is written, as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." (Romans 14.11). Now imagine the shame that we will feel when we realize the huge amount of times that we have rebelled against Christ every time we  turn against the brothers.

 

So, let us not therefore judge one another any more: but let our purpose not put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in our brother's way (Romans 14.13). Whereas the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14.17), whom in this serves the Christ, it is acceptable to the Eternal One and approved of men (Rom 14.18).

Do not destroy for the sake of food the work of the Eternal One (the one for whom Christ died - Rom 14.15). It is true that everything is clean, but evil for the man who eats with offense (Rom 14.20).

So, if for the sake of food our brother get sad, no longer walking as the love (Rom 14.15).

Let us follow, therefore, the things which are good for peace and edification of one another (Rom 14.19), so that it is not, therefore, blasphemed our good (Romans 14.16).

After all, those who have faith, let them have before the Eternal One (Rom 14.22 - and not before the people, as that wanting the approval of them). In other words, our faith must be related to the love we have for the Eternal One, namely, to the pleasure that we have to see Him act and play our hearts. 

Who approves or is approved in something that goes against the plan of the Eternal One in life of brother is condemning himself (Rom 14.22). He will not receive the crown to him for (2Tim 2:2,5).

        

 

 

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Dear sister Pamelasv.

 

Kind of wanted to post this in here instead of the doctrine forums because I think more people come in here, and it really isn't to understand the scripture, but to come up with ideas.

 

This chapter really talks about only food and wine, but I was wondering what else could make a 'weak' brother stumble, especially in this present time. Or does anybody have any hangups that you are not sure about? Lol.

 

 

 

I saw the opposite from your view. Those who felt freed from the Mosaic Law were not to impose their freedom on the weaker brothers who felt bound to it. 1 Cor 8:9. "But beware lest somehow this liberty of your become a stumbling block to those who are weak." This seems to indicate that the weaker brothers are those who feel they must keep the Jewish feasts or abstain from meats that were not kosher or which had been sacrificed to idols.. Romans 14:2 " For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables." Some believed what they didn't know didn't hurt them so just don't ask where the meat came from or how it was butchered. We who have this freedom should not cause our weaker brothers to stumble by our freedom, but should accommodate them and serve them kosher food or else they will only be able to eat the vegetables served them.

 

The key is our love for one another. If we truly love them we don't want them to compromise their beliefs on our account because they will believe they have sinned and stumbled. Instead we will want to show them respect and honor their beliefs. Doing what they do will not cause us to think we have sinned. but we will be blessed by demonstrating Christ's love.

 

 

 

 

There are still people who think they should worship on Sunday, or who are vegetarians. Some Christians from India still have a hard time eating meat. Some people feel free to drink alcohol, but should be mindful of those who are alcoholics. Some people are addicted to smoking and are tempted by those who might smoke once a month or less and who are not addicted. We are admonished the Christians to accomadate the weaker brothers and not cause them to fall.

 

 

 

Some people are addicted to gambling and might be tempted by the game of gin rummy or even Yatzee or Monopoly. I have no problem watching TV sports but someone else might feel compelled to gamble on them. Perhaps it is greed that is spurred by testosterone competitiveness. I really don't understand it but must be sensitive to the brother's weaknesses and not judge them.

 

But how often do we eat sweets and rich food in front of the obiously overweight person who is trying to stick to a diet? Or in front of diabetics? Some Christians even urge them saying it's OK just this once!