Romans Series 2
9 - Fraternal Responsibility
Chapter 14 of Romans deals with matters of conscience, cultivating good relationships in the body of Christ. There are differences and disagreements among Christians, personal differences of opinion on non-essential areas. Diversity is of the very essence of the church. Christians are not look-a-likes emerging from a photocopier where one size fits all. They are as different and interesting as the various parts of the human body.
In the church in Rome would be Jewish Christians were not yet clear as to the status of Old Testament regulations now they had become New Covenant believers. Those ‘whose faith is weak’ may still have many scruples. He is still a legalist at heart and sees Christianity as a thing of rules and regulations. He believes in his heart he can gain God’s favour by doing certain things and abstaining from others.
The ‘strong’ Christian understands that the gospel has set him free from dietary prohibitions and taboos.
What is important is personal conviction in debatable matters of conduct. “Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (verse 5).
When confronted with someone who holds the narrower view, the strong Christian must avoid mocking his ‘weaker’ brother. No man remains unwounded when that which he thinks precious is laughed at. Avoid thinking hard thoughts or judging a fellow believer. Similarly the ‘weaker’ believer mustn’t condemn the ‘stronger’ saint who even eats meat, which in the pagan cattle mart had been dedicated to idols. The ‘strong in faith’ Christian knows that ‘an idol is nothing at all in the world’ (1 Corinthians 8 verses 4). He also knows that ‘food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do’ (1Corinthians 8 verse 8).
God is our Master, be we weak or strong in faith, and no one has any right to criticize another man’s servant. The servant is answerable to his master alone. Both saints, weak or strong, should be similarly motivated – to serve the Lord and give thanks for His provision.
The Living Bible renders the opening of chapter 14 thus: “Give a warm welcome to any brother who wants to join you, even though his faith is weak. Don’t criticize him for having different scruples from yours. For instance don’t argue with him about whether or not to eat meat that has been offered to idols. You may believe there is no harm in this, but the faith of others is weaker; they think it is wrong, and will go without any meat at all and eat vegetables rather than eat that kind of meat. Those who think it is all right to eat such meat must not look down on those who won’t. And if you are one of those who won’t, don’t find fault with those who do. For God has accepted them as his children. They are God’s servants, not yours. They are responsible to Him, not to you. Let Him tell them whether they are right or wrong. And God is able to make them do as they should” (Chapter 14 verses 1 - 4).
Disunity has sadly often been a major problem amongst God’s people. Paul is keen to show that being in Christ is an eternal reality for Jewish and Gentile Christians. Differences in external things is often a matter of personal choice. It’s no big deal. As it says in verse 22, “Whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Moffatt says, “he is a fortunate man who has no misgivings about what he allows himself to eat.”
For Jewish Christians the transition from law to grace was often challenging. The influence of Jewish ideas, held for a lifetime, lingered on. As they started to ‘learn Christ’, they divested themselves of old habits and practices, but it didn’t happen overnight. Some made a fetish of observing the special days of the Old Testament ceremonial law. On the other hand we shouldn’t think that Christianity consists in observing just one particular day.
I love the way George Herbert expresses it in his hymn “King of glory, King of peace.” One line says, “Seven whole days not one in seven, I will praise You”
We must learn to live with one another graciously and not denounce our fellow believers on those things which are doubtful. A person’s actions should be dictated not by convention or superstition, but by conviction. Christians are supposed to think for themselves and be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Verse 7 teaches that no man is an island. “None of us lives to himself alone, and none of us dies to himself alone.” Christians live for Jesus. We belong to one another. From every man’s deeds come consequences which affect others. Christ is Lord over the strong believer and the weak one, in this life and the next.
Verse 10 poses a couple of pertinent questions. “Why do you judge your brother?” is asked of weak Christians. “Why do you look down on your brother?” is addressed to strong Christians. “For we will all stand before God’s judgement seat.” This is the bema, the judgement seat of Christ. It is a judgement based on works, what we have done with our lives as Christians. ‘Each of us will give an account of himself to God” (verse 12). This is the Master’s scrutiny of His own servants as such. They are justified by faith, heaven bound, but what does God think of their work? The King is examining their labour and conduct as His representatives on earth. He’ll examine their character. “For the Son of man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16 verses 27). Surely this gives us all pause for thought!