My Heart Healthy Church - Romans 14:1, 10-13, 19021 and 15:1-6 - November 23, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – My Heart Healthy Church – November 23, 2008

We continue our study in Romans. This week we will explore Romans 14:1, 10-13, 19-21 and 15:1-6.

The Apostle Paul focuses on the spiritual maturity of believers. The Christians in Rome were about as diverse as a group could be. Some Christians were converted Jews and others were converted Gentiles. Rome was a mixing pot for all sorts of religious practices.

Some of the Christian Jews had come from strict backgrounds where they practiced observing certain festival days, ceremonies and rituals. Being a strict Jew and then becoming a Christian often meant that person would still not eat certain meats and observe certain rituals. Some would not eat approved meats which had been offered to idols in the worship of pagan gods or drink strong drink that could be used in pagan worship.

Paul refers to this group as weak. The Christians making up the weak group were Christians but they were holding onto their former Jewish religious practices like a security blanket.

Then there were the Gentiles and other Jews who believed they had the freedom to worship GOD through CHRIST without having to observe rituals, ceremonies, festival days, etc. Paul referred to this group as strong and he considered himself to be associated with this group. However, Paul recognized that although the strong were just as much a Christian as the weak, the strong had a responsibility not to become a stumbling block to the weak.

Some Christians need more tangible forms of worship than others. Some Christians like formality and some like more emotion. All are Christians but those addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc. must avoid situations that could cause them to slip back into their addiction. For example, some denominations use real wine to observe the Lord’s Supper. Those addicted to alcohol should avoid taking the wine or asking the church leader to substitute grape juice for them.

We have heard the expression, “When in Rome do as the Romans do.” We take that to mean we can do the gray area things we, as Christians, would not do at home. Another interpretation is even some things we are free to do when we are at home may not be acceptable elsewhere, therefore, we should not do them.

It seems that Paul was saying when you are worshipping or in an area ministering, then avoid or observe the things those you were ministering to avoided or observed. This flexibility was for matters considered to be non-essential.

The strong believer had determined through prayer and study that he or she was free from having to avoid or observe these non-essential matters. But for the sake of those who believed differently, he or she would avoid or observe the same practice. Paul said when he was with those who did not eat meat, he did not eat meat although he was free to do so.

I know years ago, we went to go to Kentucky on mission trips to some of the depressed areas/Appalachian area. The pastors serving those areas used the King James Version of the Bible. They did not accept any other version of the Bible as the Word of GOD. We had to use the King James Bible. Also, the women in that area could not wear slacks or pants. The ladies who went on the trips had to observe proper dress. To minister in these areas we observed their customs. These were non-essential matters to us but important to them. That is not as much of an issue today as it was years ago.

This may seem a bit hypocritical. We have to keep in mind that the fundamentals of Christianity cannot be compromised. In Paul’s day, some Christians thought it was okay to eat meat which had been offered to idols. It was good meat, cheap, nourishing and had zero impact on their faith in CHRIST. Others looked at the same situation differently. The weak Christians may have needed to avoid going to the pagan market because it could spark a desire to rekindle the flames of the flesh. In many of the pagan worship practices they used alcohol or strong drink and sex in their worship. If a Christian came from a pagan worship background it could lure them back into that lifestyle. So they needed to avoid it like the plague. Others looked at purchasing the meat which had been offered to idols as wrong by association or being a bad influence.

I have a friend who is an alcoholic and he did repairs. He was asked to make some repairs at a bar while they were closed. Thinking he would be okay since the bar was closed, he went to the bar. But the smell lured him back to strong drink and he was on a binge for three (3) days. He had to avoid any place that smelled like alcohol for the rest of his life.

Those who are free to drink alcohol need to be sensitive to those who cannot. This even goes for food, betting or risqué photos for those addicted to food, gambling or pornography. How many times do we say or hear said, “Oh, come on a little piece of cake will not hurt you.” For those trying to watch what they eat or diabetics, it does matter.

Let’s read Romans 14:1, 10-12:

1 Accept anyone who is weak in faith,[1] Or weak in the Faith but don’t argue about doubtful issues.

10 But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.[4] Other mss read of Christ 11 For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God.[5] Isaiah 45:23; 49:18 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

The Apostle Paul was telling the Christians in Rome not to argue about doubtful issues. As mentioned earlier, doubtful issues are not the fundamentals of the Christian faith but non-essential, unimportant doctrinal matters.

The strong are not to judge the weak because GOD will judge us all. By the same token the weak are not to criticize or judge the strong. GOD is a righteous judge and HE knows the heart and intent of each individual. Every person is accountable to GOD, so focus upon what you need to do as GOD directs and leads you. You are job number one.

Paul was dealing with spiritual maturity among believers.

Let’s read Romans 14:13, 19-21:

13 Therefore, let us no longer criticize one another, but instead decide not to put a stumbling block or pitfall in your brother’s way.

19 So then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. 20 Do not tear down God’s work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong for a man to cause stumbling by what he eats.
21 It is a noble thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother stumble.

Christians do not need to focus on the disputable, non-essential matters but focus upon and promote the fundamentals of Christianity. When believers focus upon disputable or non-essential matters they create pitfalls and become stumbling blocks to fellow believers who believe differently.

In Romans 14:14 Paul states - “14 (I know and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. Still, to someone who considers a thing to be unclean, to that one it is unclean.) ”

Paul is not saying that believers are free agents to decide what is right and what is wrong regarding the fundamentals of the faith. There are absolutes that GOD deems right or wrong. Circumstances do not change this. Married people going through mid-life crisis may say that the feelings they have for a person who is not their spouse is from GOD. That is Satan’s lie. Adultery is never okay with GOD.

Paul is dealing with the issue of food. In verse 14, He used the word for “unclean” that was a technical word meaning ceremonially “unclean” according to the law but not declared “unclean” by GOD. GOD revealed truth to the Apostle Peter, early in his ministry, regarding food. (Acts 10:9-16) Peter was raised a strict Jew, as was Paul. GOD was preparing Peter to minister to the Gentiles who did not observe the ceremonial law regarding food. In Acts 10:9-16 we read about the incident when GOD taught Peter about eating food which he had been taught over the years to avoid.

Acts 10:9-16:

Peter’s Vision
9 The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the housetop at about noon.[2] Lit about the sixth hour 10 Then he became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something he went into a visionary state. 11 He saw heaven opened and an object coming down that resembled a large sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. 12 In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat!” 14 “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything common[3] Perhaps profane, or non-sacred; Jews ate distinctive food according to OT law and their traditions, similar to modern kosher or non-kosher foods. and unclean!” 15 Again, a second time, a voice said to him, “What God has made clean, you must not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and then the object was taken up into heaven.

The words “common “or “unclean” were used by Peter in Acts and Paul in Romans to refer to food that was consumed by people in general, thus, the word “common.” However, certain foods were not eaten by the strict Jews in observance of the ceremonial law. Since CHRIST had come to earth and paid the price for sin, it was no longer man observing certain rituals to be acceptable to GOD. But, it was CHRIST in a person that made him or her clean and acceptable and approachable to GOD.

Each category of believer, the weak and the strong, needed to consider each other’s position regarding these non-essential matters.

The strong needed to build up the weak and support the weak even though the strong had the freedom to do differently.

The issue was really about spiritual growth and maturity. Here is where it can get tricky. First, the weak were Christians but they were hanging onto certain religious practices to make them feel secure in their faith in CHRIST or other reasons. But Paul is focused on the ceremonial reasons.

As mentioned earlier it was like holding onto a security blanket. Their weakness was not to be used to criticize them but to understand where they were coming from spiritually. Those who were strong in their faith did not need to observe these non-essential matters and they did not need to flaunt their spiritual freedom. Their spiritual freedom related to their growing and maturing spiritually and in turn, the strong needed to help the weak to grow and mature spiritually as GOD led them.

Again, this requires the strong to be led by the HOLY SPIRIT because there may be reasons the weak person cannot and should not practice certain freedoms because of his or her past life in the flesh, such as addictions. The focus needs to be on the weak growing and maturing through the study and understanding of GOD’S Word and the power and presence of the HOLY SPIRIT in their lives. The mere fact that spiritually weak believers accept the practices of the strong regarding certain non-essential matters was not the issue. The issue was for GOD to reveal truth to the weak, regarding non-essential matters, through a more intimate relationship with CHRIST.

GOD’S desire and goal for all HIS children is for them to be made into the image of CHRIST. HE wants HIS children to be in unity with HIM and in unity with each other in the living body, which is the living church. This is not the brick and mortar church but the living body of true believers who come from a wide variety of spiritual backgrounds. We need to be mindful of where a weak or strong brother or sister in CHRIST is coming from regarding non-essential matters.

Let’s read Romans 15:1-6:

1 Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. 2 Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, in order to build him up. 3 For even the • Messiah did not please Himself. On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.[1] Ps 69:9 4 For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we may have hope. 5 Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you agreement with one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice.

Believers who interpret disputable matters more liberally than other believers need not make it an issue with those who interpret these non-essential matters differently. We need to encourage each other in the faith and not cause a problem by focusing upon disputable matters.

When disputable matters become fundamental matters, that is when churches split and denominations have major problems. Paul quotes Psalms 69:9 as related to CHRIST. CHRIST took on the insults people imposed on GOD onto Himself. In essence CHRIST has taken on insults others may heap upon us. So do not get burdened down with rhetoric but focus on the authority of GOD’S Word, the Bible, and GOD though the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT to give understanding to essential and non-essential matters. Everything believers need for discerning spiritual matters, can be found in GOD’S Word. It may be a matter of the believer growing and maturing before understanding can occur.

Revealing truth to a believer is GOD’S responsibility coupled with the willingness of each believer to seek understanding. This is a two (2) way street. The weak may need to grow spiritually and the strong may have gone too far with his or her freedom. Paul is assuming the strong are on solid ground spiritually.

Paul tells them and us that unity is vital. When believers show that they are of one accord it presents a strong testimony to those still in the darkness of sin. When believers quarrel about non-essential matters it becomes a stumbling block and a hindrance to the spread of the gospel.

A heart healthy living body of believers is vital and powerful in the service of the LORD. The question believers must ask themselves, “Are we heart healthy and have the right relationship with CHRIST?”