A Cause to Live For
Romans 14:1-12
Message by Kurt Jones
July 2, 2005
Closing paragraph of the Declaration of Independence.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. --And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands now deserves the love and thanks of men and woman. Tyranny like hell is not easily conquered yet we have this consolation with us, the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value." Thomas Paine 1737-1809
Words like this, especially on a day when we celebrate the freedoms won by those brave men, bring a tear to the eye and a chill to the spine.
Patrick Henry (1736 - 1799), was an American Revolutionary leader and orator who spoke the now famous phrase, "Gentlemen may cry peace peace-but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."
"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."—Nathan Hale, American Revolution at the gallows before he is hung
"I have not yet begun to fight!"—John Paul Jones, American Revolution, when asked to surrender his ship
These words bring a tear to the eye and a chill to the spine. They speak of a noble cause… A cause worth dying for, a cause worth living for… What are you living for?
Introduction
Context – contrast the strong words of exhortation at the end of 13!!! Pay up! Wake up! Suit up!!! The Christian life isn’t about following a set of rules and regulations, it is far more intense than that… it is motivated and empowered by LOVE – far stronger than LAW!
Context – relationships! “Come Unity”
Eph 4:2-3 - with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Col 3:12-14 - So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
We come from lots of different backgrounds – different places and different traditions. Why does Paul spend so much time on how Christians are supposed to get along with each other? He knew it could be a problem!!!! All of ch. 14 and half of 15 on how good people who disagree are supposed to treat one another.
strict legalism vs. openness and freedom, liturgical worship vs. unstructured worship, the right of an apostle to take a believing wife, wedding rings (hotly contested by Puritans in the 17th century) cosmetics, jewelry, hair styles, sign gifts, end times, when Christ will return, how Christ will return, smoke or drink or chew or go with girls that do, daily quiet time – but at what hour of the day, for how long, and most important in what VERSION of the Bible??? The List is endless!!! Name a topic and someone somewhere has gotten judgmental about it!
What Paul is talking about in the next chapter and a half are issues of “opinion” NASU - Rom. 14:1
Matters that are neither forbidden or commanded in the bible. They come from personal preference or historical tradition… Paul is not talking about doctrinal or moral compromises. (Gal. 1:8 with reference to observance of days…) Paul is not talking about tolerating lies or bending the truth of the Gospel…
“The Lord did not plan for His church to be divided into a hundred varieties, based on distinctives of personal preference and traditions that have no ground in Scripture. “ John MacArthur
“We must not elevate non essentials, especially issues of custom and ceremony, to the level of the essential and make them test for orthodoxy and conditions for fellowship. Nor must we marginalize fundamental theological or moral questions as if they were only cultural and of no great importance. Paul distinguished between these things and so must we.” Stott
Hubmaier was a reformer who believed in a certain doctrine and was forced to recant under torture. He then went to Moravia where he led 6,000 people to the Lord. He was the most influential reformer in Europe. Then he was brought back to Vienna where in 1528 his flesh was ripped off his body with red hot pincers, then he was burned at the stake. His loyal wife was thrown into the Danube river to drown with a great stone tied around her neck. Those who perpetrated these crimes on this servant of God were not Roman Catholic authorities, but another Christian reformer, a brother in the Lord, and a former friend of Hubmaier. The issue - mode of baptism.
Circles of fellowship – consider in the body of Christ, member in a local church, close fellowship and accountability. Different levels.
Readers here have an intimate knowledge of whatever is happening that we do not have.
"In Essentials, Unity; in Non-essentials, Liberty; in All Things, Charity," Augustine.
1. Living with differences.
a. “Weak in the faith”
i. Who were they?
The word used for “weak” is a participle, indicating a temporary condition.
It refers to THE faith = the Gospel. They do not have a full understanding of the richness and freedom they have in Christ.
Weak in faith, immature, threatened.
This does NOT mean they were unspiritual, carnal, or fleshly… just immature.
EX: you don’t call a baby sick just because it can’t walk when born… Phil with baby Grace.
People who were focused on laws and not on grace. Full of doubts, fears, and indecision.
Not having a lack of self control, but a lack of liberty of conscience.
ii. Why did they do it?
1. Jewish Christians who thought they still needed to follow the Mosiac law, or were at least fearful they would violate law. Nothing in the OT required them to be vegetarian (Lev. 11, 17; Ex. 23)
2. Former Pagan Christians who were reacting against Pagan rituals and fearful they would participate again through some activity.
3. Former Pagan ascetics who had rejected the hedonism of idol worship and carried this denial of comforts over into their Christian faith. Only veggies, drink water, rough clothes.
iii. What did they do? ( or in this case “NOT DO”?)
1. Diet – “eats vegetables only”
Vs. 17 and 21 indicate this discussion probably includes drinking as well. In an effort to avoid violation they would not eat meat at all!
EX: someone who is saved and then has a violent reaction against something… Music.
2. Days “regards one day above another”
EX: TEACHING SWIM LESSONS – weaker swimmers had more restriction. Stronger ones could swim anywhere – shallow, deep, diving board…
P.S. You wont’ ever get someone in this condition to admit to being “weak” or “Immature”!!! Both these groups of people will consider themselves to be the more mature, the higher road, the deeper thinkers, closer to God, the more true to Scripture…
b. Strong
i. Who were they? Strong in faith, mature, understanding and enjoying freedom in Christ. He considers himself to be “strong” 15:1, and having responsibility to bear the weaknesses of others.
ii. What did they do?
1. In disputable matters they had freedom.
a. Diet – “eat(s) all things…”
b. Days – “…regards every day alike”
2. This did NOT allow for crossing the line over into UNDISPUTABLE matters… Clear cut issues of sin… As some did!
3. Don’t let your freedom become an opportunity for the flesh… or a stumbling block for the weak. (next week in Rom 13:13ff. cf. Gal. 5:13-15, Gal. 6:1)
iii. Why did they do it?
1. Paul writes that the position of the “strong” is correct. Rom. 4:14, 20 “…nothing is unclean in itself…” and “All things indeed are clean…” Col 2:20-23. 1 Tim 4:4-5
2. Jesus teaching in Mark 7:18-19; Matt. 15:20
3. Acts 10:15,16 – Peter at the house of Cornelius.
4. Jewish – ceremonial laws no longer valid. No longer had to worry about Kosher rules for food.
5. Gentiles – Idols made of wood and stone are not gods and so they felt free to eat anything – even meat offered to idols in temples. 1 Cor. 8:4-6.
So here we have two different groups of people with opposite approaches to the same issues. Don’t you just want Paul to bust out with the ANSWER? “C’mon Paul, set those OTHER guys straight!!!!” We’d love that so we could show those OTHER guys how wrong they are.
We’re missing the POINT. Paul is intentionally ambiguous!
2. Loving despite disagreements.
Stronger ones are instructed first. V.1
a. Accept
“Proslambano” = to receive or accept a person into one’s home. It denotes personal and willing acceptance.
Welcome into fellowship and into your heart. Genuine love.
Those who are “weak in faith” are not to be ignored, rebuked, or corrected… but accepted.
“Accept” is the same word as end of vs. 3 … for God has accepted him
b. Don’t look down on another. V. 3, 10
The “strong” are temped to look at weaker brother as too rigid and restricted.
” Utter distain and abhorrence. To reject with contempt.
c. Don’t judge another v. 3, 10
The “weak” are tempted to think of the “strong” as undisciplined, ungodly… “krino” finding an accused person guilty.
You can’t say to someone (weak or strong), “You are causing me to stumble in judgment!” Paul just says “don’t do it”. He makes it personal in v. 10 “Why do you judge your brother?”
We tend to judge others against ourselves…
EX: College student who wasn’t coming to Bible Study, outreaches, missions trips. Finally I confronted his apparent lack of commitment. He said “I didn’t want to tell you, but my brother Bill, is a recovering addict and go with him to Celebrate Recovery meetings three times a week.”
The “stong’ sneer and the “weak” frown and the result is DISUNITY.
Christians LOVE to DUMP on each other! WHEN do we tend to judge?
· When people are different – look different, sound different, think different… so easy for it to become US and THEM. Look at that Baptismatic church… their all whacko! And those Presbylutherans – never seen a stranger bunch! How about those independent Non-denominational Bible Churches… NUTS!!!
· When people are down
· When people are threatening.
<<TRANS>>> So what do I do?
3. Living and loving for the Lord.
Look at v. 5. “Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.” Don’t go against what God is telling you in your own mind= your conscience = what you truly believe to be right.
BUT don’t try to impose that on others!
Four reasons all believers should accept one another and how we can be fully convinced what we are doing is right.
The Lord accepts us. v. 3
THEM - If the Lord can accept someone into His kingdom, don’t you think you should? You don’t have to agree 100%, but do it with love.
ME – Gods acceptance of me is the starting place.
The Lord sustains us. V. 4
THEM - The Lord allows them to stand. He is the one who gives strength
ME – If you are looking to other people to sustain you, it is destined for failure.
The Lord rules over us. V.5-9
a. Dedication “…for the Lord”
TALK about a cause!!! LIVE FOR THE LORD! Or even DIE for the LORD!
2 Cor 5:15 - and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
b. Thanks
THEM - We’ve got to learn to trust what the Holy Spirit is doing in the life of other people.
People are not looking to YOU to be LORD of the UNIVERSE. That job position is already filled!
Jesus died and rose again that he might be lord both of the dead and the living.
ME – Be fully convinced that what I’m doing is “UNTO THE LORD”. If Jesus was sitting here with me, would I do this?
The Lord judges us. V. 10-12
Every knee will bow (weak or strong)
Isa 45:22-23
22 " Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and
there is no other. 23 " I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from
My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow,
every tongue will swear allegiance.
How do we “Stand”??? Romans 8 – what happens if someone brings a charge against God’s elect? “God is the one who justifies!!!” Deal with THAT!!!
1 Cor 3:13-15 - each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
THEM –
ME -
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college. Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students, but are not sure how to go about it.
One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his -shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started, and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed, and he can't find a seat. By now people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit and, when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. (Although perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, trust me, this had never happened in this church before!) By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.
About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-grey hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.
How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone. Everyone chokes up with emotion.
When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you
will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget. Be careful
how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read."
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