Romans 14-15

Faith: Approaching the NT Book of Romans

Christ adapted to us in the cross. He dealt with our differences in His Death and Resurrection. As Christians we are obligated toward each other as a model of Christ to us.

Weak and Strong: Stop Quarreling Over Opinions

Romans 14:1 ESV

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

Romans 14:5–6 ESV

One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.

There are certain things that should not create obstacles for us. There are things we allow to get in the way that just don’t belong there, even if we are the ones who keep putting them there.

Judgment and Direction: Not what is but what could be

Romans 14:4 ESV

Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Judgment (or lack thereof) in Romans 14:4 does not mean mutual acquiescence. It does not mean, allow people to do whatever they want. There are assumptions made here.

This is why we leave judgement to God. God perfectly holds justice, and righteousness. And holds mercy and love and grace, all fully in the same armload. So when God judges, He is still holding mercy. When we judge we tend to set mercy down.

We don’t judge, we commend and direct. We trust God to judge finally. We correct and direct along the way.

Judgment is final and judgment doesn’t need relationship or proximity to make a claim.

Direction does. In order to direct (this is how it could be) you have to be up close. Paul calls us to support. You can’t support from a distance. You support by being close.

Peace and Mutual upbuilding: Don’t destroy the work of God

Romans 14:19–20 ESV

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.

our normal mantra is, “get over it” We say that you need to change in order to meet me. Romans 14 is saying, “ill get over it.” I’ll change in order to meet you.

Romans 15:5–7 ESV

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

We never graduate from the reality that we are weak in faith and Christ our brother has welcomed us. He has called us home. He has embraced us. And so when there are times when our beliefs don’t match up around certain cultural doctrine. We can embrace others, offering direction through delight and wisdom, in the same way Christ offers it to us.