I think we can all admit we’re living in crazy times. The thing about these times is that it’s easy for us to have strong opinions and try to convince ourselves and others that we are right in our specific opinions. You’ve probably all heard some of this related to COVID:
- It’s a conspiracy, it’s biological warfare, it’s fake, it’s real etc.
- We have maskers and anti-maskers
“14 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.
5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.
10 So why do you condemn another believer[a]? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say,
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bend to me,
and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.[b]’”
12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.” (Rom 14:1-13)
As we can see debates over practices in the church are nothing new. Let’s look at the situation the apostle Paul is addressing in this passage. In Paul’s day where Jewish and Gentile believers were coming from very different backgrounds, food was a hot button issue. Some people followed the Old Testament food laws and would not eat certain foods while others felt free to eat anything. The Bible makes it clear as Peter saw in a dream, (Acts 10) that with the coming of the new covenant people are freed to eat whatever their conscience allows them to. Yet, some choose to continue to follow the OT foods laws while others choose to eat anything. Both practices are allowable in the biblical instruction though there is clearly freedom to eat whatever one wants.
The problem is that people with different opinions would judge each other. One would say why do you not follow the Old Testament laws while another would say relax and each some bacon man. “The strong were looking down on those who did not take advantage of their liberty; the weak, who saw themselves as the only righteous ones because of their stricter code of behaviour, condemned those who did not have the same scruples.”[1]
It’s so easy to get stirred up over what is not an issue of right and wrong. What is Paul’s advice here? In short, don’t condemn other believers over their opinions when those opinions are on issues that are not about what is right or wrong. The debate over the issue of food is about motivation, not right or wrong. As long as believers celebrate the food God has given them, and thank him for his provision, the foods they eat do not matter. Today the debate over eating meat isn’t generally a hot topic in the church, but we continue to have debates over other areas of behaviour. These debates have the potential to bring disunity. “You do not have unity when one faction considers itself superior to another, or when one faction questions the very Christianity of the those who do not comply with certain codes of conduct.”[2]
So, what do we do when we disagree with another believer or group of believers on things that are matters of opinion? First Paul asks why do you condemn another believer? In the end we are all responsible for our lives and decisions and we will all give an account to God. No one is off the hook in God’s eyes. Yet it is God’s job to judge people, not ours. As believers then, especially on matters of opinion, let’s agree to disagree where we need to, but not allow it to affect our unity in Christ.
Paul gets to the heart of the matter: “So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.” (Rom 14:13). So don’t condemn other believers. Then secondly, live in such as way that you don’t cause others to stumble. The classic example here is that it is wise and respectful not to drink alcohol in the presence of someone you know does not drink alcohol or struggles with an alcohol addiction. If by your life you can build others up then do so. If by omitting a certain activity you can help the faith of others then refrain from that activity out of respect.
We tend to want to express things our own way and convince others that way is right. Yet “A selfish insistence on freedom may tear down and destroy, but love, when it is exercised, will invariably build up (I Co 8:1).”[3] This is a time to be patient with each other and support each other as best we can and to sacrificially draw together as the body of Christ. Never one to pull punches, the Apostle Paul states in another passage: “But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. 2 Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. 3 But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.” (I Cor 8:1a-3). So rather than striving over opinions, move towards love.
Just a few verses after the passage we read this morning Paul says this: “19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.” (Rom 14:19). Instead of focussing on our opinions, let’s focus on what we have in common. Rather than judging others let’s look for harmony. Let’s encourage and build each other up. Most importantly let’s love people. Unnecessary arguments over opinions can lead to division, while love builds each other and the church up. Be generous with others and be careful not to judge too quickly.
[1] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 780
[2] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 780
[3] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 593
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