Paul deals with an issue which often creates conflict in churches: convictions. These are not matters which Scripture identifies as "sin." They are issues which seem "wrong" to some believers and "right" to others.
Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with�even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.
For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume all Christians should be vegetarians and eat accordingly. But since both are guests at Christ's table, wouldn't it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn't eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. Romans 14:1-3, The Message
Who is weak in faith and who is strong? We are all weak in some areas and strong in others. Our faith is strong in an area if we can survive contact with sinners without falling into their patterns. It is weak in an area if we must avoid certain activities, people, or places in order to protect our spiritual life. It is important to take a self-inventory in order to find out our strengths and weaknesses. If we have a strong faith but shelter it, we are not doing Christ's work in the world. If we have a weak faith but expose it, we are being extremely foolish.
After a sacrifice was presented to a god in a pagan temple, only
part of it was burned. The remainder was often sent to the market
to be sold. Thus a Christian might easily--even unknowingly--buy
such meat in the marketplace or eat it at the home of a friend.
The problem was especially acute for Christians who had once
been idol worshipers.
So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. . . . But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.
Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help. Romans 14:4, The Message
Or, say, one person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience.
What's important in all this is that if you keep a holy day, keep it for God's sake; if you eat meat, eat it to the glory of God and thank God for prime rib; if you're a vegetarian, eat vegetables to the glory of God and thank God for broccoli. None of us are permitted to insist on our own way in these matters. It's God we are answerable to�all the way from life to death and everything in between�not each other. That's why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other. Romans 14:5-9, The Message
Paul suggests several positive steps and attitudes we should develop. First, we should actively welcome those with a weak faith (14:1). Second, we should explore the issues over which believers have convictions and be fully convinced of our position (14:5). Third, we should recognize Jesus as Lord (14:6-9).
So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I'd say it leaves you looking pretty silly�or worse. Eventually, we're all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture:
" 'As I live and breathe,' God says,
'every knee will bow before me;
Every tongue will tell the honest truth
that I and only I am God.' "
So tend to your knitting. You've got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God. Romans 14:10-12, The Message
Study Romans 14:13-15:3, Living Without Offense.
Please email your questions or comments to me.
Dave Bowser ([email protected])