Romans Series 2
10 - More About Relationships
Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of Romans 14 is very enlightening. Here’s a short passage from it on cultivating good relationships. “Eventually, we’re all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgement, facing God. Your critical 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. Forget about deciding what’s right for each other. Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is.”
Paul advocates an attitude of loving large-heartedness, a welcoming not critical environment where neutral things are not made into big issues and when consideration is given how your action could affect someone else and stumble them in their faith. Remember to act in love. If you’re convicted by something, don’t do it. In non-essential areas, let conscience be your guide. The goal is for harmony in the household of God. The ’weak’ brother may lack knowledge; the ‘strong’ brother may lack love. If Christians would go to the Lord in prayer instead of going to their brother with criticism, there would be stronger fellowship in our churches.
Verse 17 makes it transparently clear that Christianity does not consist in using or abstaining from certain meats and drinks. It declares, “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Verse 19 is an injunction, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Who are you building up in your church?
The legitimate differences of opinion amongst believers are not to be rehearsed needlessly.
Sometimes people make mountains out of molehills and at times we all get on our hobbyhorses. This disturbs the peace. We should help, not hinder our fellow Christians. The Living Bible puts verse 20 in these words: “Don’t undo the work of God for a joint of meat.” We’re not to give Satan any assistance. Godly restraint and abstinence are the hallmark of faithfulness in Christ’s service.
1 Corinthians 6 verse 12 says, “’Everything is permissible for me’– but not everything is beneficial.” That is wise counsel. Elsewhere in 1 Corinthians we read, “Be careful ... that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (8:9). This teaching is underlined in 1 Corinthians 10 verses 23 - 24 “’Everything is permissible’ – but not every thing is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”
Paul is very keen about being helpful to one another, long established and new believers. 1 Corinthians 10:31 - 33 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God – even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”
The bottom line is pretty straightforward. “Help others with encouraging words, don’t drag them down by finding fault ... Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don’t impose it on others” (The Message).
Chapter 14 closes with a well-known verse. Moffatt puts it this way: “Any action that is not based on faith is a sin.” If a person believes a thing to be wrong, then, if he does it, for him it is sin.
The bulk of the disciples in the Roman church were ex-pagans, probably of various nationalities. Paul was at great pains to remove the barriers between Jews and Gentiles. There was a real tension here. “The strong” were disposed to domineer in spirit over “the weak” and become spiritual bullies, exercising a critical, censorious spirit over their brethren.
Paul’s plea, in chapter 15, is for more flexibility. The Gentile Christians needed to watch their licence and the Jewish Christians needed to watch their legalism. Consideration for one another would best serve the cause of Christ. Instead of pleasing ourselves we should follow Christ’s example for “even Christ did not please Himself” (verse 3) Christ, in His zeal for the Lord’s House, pleased not Himself but was overwhelmed with reproach.
Verse 4 - 6 in the NIV read, “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Like-mindedness among Christians is the gift of God. In heaven God’s will is done unanimously among the angels. There’s no prejudice, blind spots, shyness, moodiness, awkwardness or reluctance to comply. As in heaven, let it be on earth amongst the redeemed. Matthew Henry writes, “In things necessary let there be unity, in things unnecessary let there be liberty, and in both let there be charity.”
Verse 7 states; “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” There should be a mutual embracing among Christians bearing with one another’s failings, building one another up.
The psalmist said it best 3,000 years ago: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”