Love In Unity Without Judgement

INTRO

The word that describes the Messiah (Jesus) in the book of Romans is Justifier, who has justified us before God. The context in chapter 14 is interacting with weak believers and with strong believers. Throughout this chapter, we’ll see instructions to relate to “one another.”

MacArthur describes the background of this chapter as having a threat to the unity of the church when “mature (strong) believers—both Jews and Gentiles—conflict with immature (weak) believers.”¹ MacArthur goes on to explain this conflict: “The strong Jewish believers understood their freedom in Christ and realized that the ceremonial requirements of the Mosaic Law were no longer binding. The mature Gentiles understood that idols are not gods and, therefore, that they could eat meat that had been offered to them. But in both cases, the weaker brothers’ consciences were troubled, and they were even temped to violate their consciences (a bad thing to train oneself to do).”² MacArthur explains the issues the weaker believers were struggling with: “The weak Jewish believer had difficulty abandoning the rites and prohibitions of the old covenant; he felt compelled to adhere to dietary laws, observe the Sabbath, and offer sacrifices in the temple. The weak Gentile believer had been steeped in pagan idolatry and its rituals; he felt that any contact with anything remotely related to his past, including eating meat that had been offered to a pagan deity and then sold in the marketplace, tainted him with sin.”³ This difference of understanding in faith was leading to conflict that could destroy the church’s unity.

TEACHING

Romans 14:1-12: Wiersbe summarizes these verses as, “Receive One Another.”⁴ Accept all, even those who are weaker in the faith, without arguing with them over issues not about salvation (v. 1). For example, Romans 12 provides information on the gifts of the Spirit, something that is misunderstood by weak or new believers and can often become something that divides a congregation when people are judged by having or not having gifts. The issue of food should not be a conflict, because believers are free to eat anything (v. 2). Those who have differing opinions should not judge each other, because God has accepted them both (v. 3). In fact, we should not criticize those who belong to the Master (v. 4). Some have different opinions about which day of the week is holy and should not be judged for that (v. 5). The day is observed to honor the Lord; the food is given by the Lord (v. 6). We live and die for the Lord, because we belong to the Lord (vv. 7-8).

Therefore, “Christ died and came to life for this: that He might rule over both the dead and the living” (v. 9). MacArthur explains it this way: “Christ died not only to free us from sin, but to enslave us to Himself (Romans 6:22); to establish Himself as Sovereign over the saints in His presence and those still on earth”⁵ (Philippians 2:11; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14, 19:16). Verses 10-11 summarize Paul’s teaching—Christ died for us all, so we have no reason or authority to criticize one another. Everyone will give praise and glory to God (Isaiah 45:23; 49:18; Philippians 2:10; Revelation 20:11-15). And we will all stand before the Lord to be judged (v. 12). Therefore, we are to receive one another.

Romans 14:13-23: Wiersbe summarizes this section as, “Edify One Another.”⁶ Verse 13 says do not criticize or put a stumbling block before one another (1 Corinthians 8:1). Paul restated that nothing is unclean in itself, but if someone thinks something is unclean, then it is unclean to him (vv. 14-16). This was given to Paul through divine revelation from Christ. In verse 17, Paul stresses his point—God’s kingdom is about righteousness, not rules about what to eat or drink.

We have been justified in Christ as citizens of God. We are to have “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (v. 17). Righteousness means to live holy lives (Ephesians 6:14). Peace means “loving tranquility, produced by the Spirit, that should characterize believers’ relationships with God and each other (Galatians 5:22).”⁷ MacArthur explains, “Joy in the Holy Spirit” is “another part of the Spirit’s fruit, this describes an abiding attitude of praise and thanksgiving regardless or circumstances, which flows from one’s confidence in God’s sovereignty (Galatians 5:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:6).”⁸ We are to focus on these fruits of the

Spirit rather than what others are doing to be acceptable to God (v. 18). This removes the barriers between weak/immature believers and strong/mature believers who can function in unity and build up one another (v. 19). Don’t cause others to stumble by what we do (vv. 20-21). Believers must not force their convictions on others but rather only share them with God (v. 22).

CLOSING

Wiersbe sums up this chapter with these words: “Believers may hold different convictions about many matters, but they must hold them in love.”⁹