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8. The Particular Problems of the Church of Rome (Romans 14:1-12)
ROMANS 14:1-12
1 Now accept one who is weak in faith, but not for disputes over opinions. 2 One man has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Don’t let him who eats despise him who doesn’t eat. Don’t let him who doesn’t eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you who judge another’s servant? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for God has power to make him stand. 5 One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. He who doesn’t eat, to the Lord he doesn’t eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, “‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to God.’” 12 So then each one of us will give account of himself to God.
The followers of Christ have different opinions about what is prohibited, and what is permissible, because Jesus did not make a law in this respect, but offered us complete salvation, certain justification, and the power of the Holy Spirit. He needed the tables of laws only for the observance of the ordinance of loving all.
This is why we find different opinions between one church and another. Some see in eating swine’s flesh a sin. But Jesus says: "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man… For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man”. Surely, eating swine’s flesh may harm man, and impair his health, but it does not defile him spiritually.
Some Christians smoke hookah (hubble-bubble) or cigarettes, while others see that smoking is a deadly sin. Of course smoking injures the smoker and those around him, but the smoke, which the smoker inhales, is not an unclean spirit, but an injurious poison, which he must avoid for health reasons. Therefore smoking, in itself, is not a sin, but he who smokes is sinful like all others.
Some prohibit alcohol and drugs, and they are right, because he who involves himself in alcoholic drinks and drugs becomes a slave to them. Therefore, we suggest to everybody to abstain from alcohol and drugs. To drink a small quantity of alcohol as a medicine is all right. Yet, it is to be mentioned that fresh, pure water is the best healthy drink given directly by God.
The outstanding question in the churches at the time of the apostle Paul was: “Is it a sin to eat the meat that has been offered in sacrifices to idols?” for some ate this meat showing an excessive appetite for it, while others looked at it with disgust. Paul confirmed that both parties were right, for the meat that had been offered in sacrifices to idols is not a spirit but a flesh. He said this because some thought that this meat was under the influence of unclean spirits. However, Jesus included all in his salvation. They are no longer under the law, but are free from secondary, stupid things.
As some believers kept the Sabbath, some Friday, and others Sunday, Paul said to them: You are all right, for Jesus did not sanctify days, but people. Therefore, you may pray and worship God everyday and every time, for prayer is not restricted to any certain day, or any certain hour, but is feasible and convenient everyday and at all times.
It is essential for the church members not to despise each other, or judge each other superficially, particularly in secondary matters. Jesus says: “Judge not, that you be not judged”. Therefore, he who is strong in faith must not despise him, who is weak in knowledge, or embarrass him in his ways, but abstain by way of love from such practices. He must sit with the weak, encourage them, and help them. In the same manner, the weak must not despise those who are strong in faith, or speak of them maliciously, but love them, because Jesus loves all.
Paul confirmed to everybody, “we no longer belong to ourselves, but we have committed ourselves to the Lord Jesus completely and forever. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, if we eat or drink, we are our Lord's who caused his new life to dwell in us”.
As the spirit of condemnation penetrates quickly into the church, Paul warned the weak and the strong, saying to them: Beware, for you all will stand before the eternal Judge. Do not judge others, but judge yourselves. Confess your sins, and overcome them in the name of Christ. If you think that you have to free others from their sins, speak patiently, with love founded on your prayers, and be aware that you are not more righteous than others. Make every effort not to cause believers to stumble through their faith.
PRAYER: O heavenly Father, when we measure ourselves by your holiness and the exceeding greatness of your love, nothing remains in us of honor, righteousness, or respect. Forgive us our shortcomings, and help us not to condemn others. Strengthen our love that we may love all, and consider ourselves the least.
QUESTION:
- What should we think or say if any follower of Christ has a different opinion on some secondary subjects of life?