#1658 Romans 15 Part 1 To His Building Up

 

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his building up. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through the perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 Now may the God of perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15: 1-6 LSB

Romans 15: 1-6

Vs. 1-2 And not just please ourselves - If you are truly strong then you realize your weakness without Christ, and your focus if off yourself and upon Him. So you also realize that it is not about you, that God didn't you, you needed Him, and so if you have this strength then you know that it is from God, just like the faith you were given to believe. So here you are receiving from God the instruction as to what to do with this strength, and it isn't to "have your best life now", that would be ridiculous, what did you actually believe that thinks so much of now compared to eternity? No, you are a pillar now, coming alongside your weaker brothers and sisters and helping them with their load. You have been prepared for this by hearing through God's word, and not the sort of hearing that happens only on Sunday where you check a box. Not even the hearing that comes from getting through the Bible in a year, for you will soon forget about that. It is a daily opening of the Word of God, and not just looking at the meal upon the table, for who ever got sustenance from only listening to someone describe a meal, or by taking it in through the eyes. You have to chew it, to digest it, to think about it throughout the day, every day. It is not a one and done. The word of God will also influence and dictate how you pray, and this is the other great strength that everyone forgets, except maybe before they eat or after they are in a car accident.  

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.… 2 Corinthians 1: 3-5

…13In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.… 1 Thessalonians 5: 13-15

…15And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. 17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.… James 5: 15-17

V. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself - He is the example, and suffered not only death on the cross, but the discomfort of living with sinful man, the innocent constantly in contact with and being rebuked by the guilty, not recognized for Who He truly Is. Paul quotes from Psalm 69:

…8I have become a stranger to my brothers and a foreigner to my mother’s sons, 9because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me. 10I wept and fasted, but it brought me reproach.… Psalm 69: 8-10

V. 4 So that through the perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope - It is more than just a historical account. It also filled with prophecies like Psalm 69 and Psalm 22 that see their fulfillment in Christ. I have often chewed upon the wisdom from Daniel's life, and it has helped me realize that I am not a special case, that I am not the first person to ever want to follow God amongst people who hated the things of God. In Job I have been corrected, in Genesis I saw the triune nature of God early on and I realized Christ was the Seed of the woman, proclaiming the Virgin birth even then. I saw so much spoken about the promise of Messiah and then realized in Christ that I knew myself a fool not to hold out hope for my own resurrection into eternal life. 

…15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.… 2 Timothy 3: 15-17

…11For if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which endures! 12Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away.… 2 Corinthians 3: 11-13

More on Psalm 22

More on Psalm 69

Vs. 5-6 Grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus - It's not a call for conspirators to all get their stories aligned, to stand with one another outside of the truth for the sake of club membership. It is according to Christ Jesus, Who Himself was the Way, the Truth and the Life, and clarified even more, that no one comes to the Father accept through the Son, so the only Way, and here we must not be divided. We must know this for ourselves and for a fact, so that we are united in the truth and ruled by love. Our corporate worship is elevated by the soundness of it's shared doctrine. Rightly knowing Who Christ is by the way He describes Himself in Scripture, places Him before Creation, above angels and all Created things, yet adding humanity to His Deity He is the perfect picture of patience and encouragement. If He was willing suffer all these things for my Christian brothers and sisters, the reproach of wicked men, the cross, and being forsaken by the Father in that dreadful moment, then maybe I have been undervaluing them. Maybe in my own mind it is really about me, for isn't that the way I carry myself, full of self importance, lacking patience, easily offended, easily put out or put off? 

…2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;… Ephesians 4: 2-4

…13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. 14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.… Ephesians 4: 13-15

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#1657 Romans 14 Part 3 Blocks In The Road

 

13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather judge this—not to put a stumbling block or offense before a brother. 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is defiled in itself; but to him who considers anything to be defiled, to him it is defiled. 15 For if because of food your brother is grieved, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be slandered; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is pleasing to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed is he who does not judge himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14: 13-23 LSB

Romans 14: 13-23

John Murray (introducing Ro 14:13-23) - This section is directed largely to the strong and enjoins upon them the action which love for the weak requires. In this part of the epistle it has been already noted how much emphasis falls upon love (cf. 12:9; 13:8–10). The necessity of walking according to love (vs. 15) is in this section applied to the behaviour which consideration for the well-being of weaker brethren must constrain on the part of the strong. (Epistle to the Romans - NICNT) - PA

Vs. 13-14 But rather judge this-not to put a stumbling block or offense before a brother - This will be a difficult section for those who think they are strong. I found it tantalizing as a young man to always look for the edge of things, run up to the point I thought my freedom ended and then see if I could push the line out a little further. So many are more fascinated with being edgy, pushing the envelope, ranting on and on about how they are too mature even to be judged. There is no one in the room their equal, and they know it is not what goes into a man that defiles him, and so they flaunt their liberty. I've seen many of them trespass this though, all the while fooling others, reassuring others that they are okay to be where they are, they are built differently after all. They think they are the teacher in a relationship they have with someone they are unequally yoked with, but they are the ones getting taught. A few weeks ago they taught a Sunday School class where they declared there is no such thing as missionary dating, yet here they are, well past their freedom, condoning sin, and not only that, they were someone who others looked up to. We learned about the perfect law of love, and how love fulfills all of the law, but here they are with an unbeliever, saying there is something different about me, I follow Christ, and the very sins that Christ died to save us from you participate in with someone who doesn't know Him, and you put the real Christ exponentially farther away from them. It's the furthest thing from love. You are in a mixed company of believers at your home, and there is a man there that you knew to be a raving alcoholic, but you learned how to make the best cocktail this weekend, and no way is his weakness going to interfere with your festivities tonight. You serve the drinks, and you don't get drunk, your too strong for that, and he fights a battle is his mind that keeps him staring at a glass of water all night. Some of these people are strong in the sense of knowing good doctrine, knowing that alcohol isn't inherently evil, but some of them become a stumbling block to themselves and some to others. Both see themselves as strong and that itself because a stumbling block. 

Barclay writes that "proskomma, means 'a barrier', 'a hindrance', 'a road-block'. It is the word that would be used for a tree that has been felled and laid across a road to block it. We must never do or allow anything which would be a road-block on the way to goodness. (William Barclay. New Testament Words)

In this verse proskomma speaks of the spiritual hindrance to another caused by a selfish use of liberty or alternatively our tendency to set up a list of do's and don'ts. Either way could cause the other person to stub his spiritual toe!. Paul says do not do this. - PA

…5And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me. 6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7Woe to the world for the causes of sin. These stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!… Matthew 18: 5-7

V. 15 You are no longer walking according to love - Love appears to be more than a feeling, more than mere words, less about shared experience and good wishes, and this sort of love looks much more like the sacrifice of self. It pops the bubble of ego, and somehow finds joy in laying aside one's "rights and prerogatives" for the good of another's conscience. It would rather mend the broken arm then show it's own strength. If your brother can't go into this temple restaurant without feeling that he is somehow participating in idolatry, then don't press him to do so, and don't flaunt your ability to that with a clear conscience. You know an idol is nothing, it's not real, it's an invention of the mind and hands, and it cannot make the meat into anything other than meat. The food isn't evil, but the heart that lifts up the image is, yet this man cannot separate the two things in his mind. This is the gentleness of love. What is more important, your brother or the fine dining, the BOGO on meat or a still delicate conscience? So what of your great knowledge without love. 

…9Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols? 11So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.… 1 Corinthians 8: 9-11

1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.… 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3

…4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. 6Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth.… 1 Corinthians 13: 4-6

MacArthur - You need to set your life on a path that will not grieve others‑‑that will not make them follow you into something their conscience tells them not to. That means you have to get close enough to each other to know where you stand on those issues. You have to know the hearts of the people around you so you can be sure to have an unselfish love for them. (Building Up One Another Without Offending, Part 1 - See dropdown list) - PA

Vs. 16-17 The Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking - As a Baptist I find that confusing. I thought it was all about pot lucks. But the understanding here is that you eating certain foods or not eating foods is not of any spiritual benefit. There are no godly recipes. I've known some people who thought that being Vegan made them more holy, more like our parents before the fall, and so they have a whole religion about food and others about certain preparations. The Jews who were just coming to the faith, were not to be Judaizers, the message of Christianity was not a return to Kosher living, that isn't the gospel. At the same time, there were things one could do to help a new believer, like not serve pork which they had been adverse to their whole life, or refrain from taking an ex heathen to the temple of Diana for a meal. If it isn't a small thing to you then you need to reevaluate your view of yourself, your hierarchy of significance. 

Hodges - This is a new reason for forbearance. No principle of duty is sacrificed; nothing essential to religion is disregarded, for religion does not consist in external observances, but in the inward graces of the Spirit. It has already been remarked (Romans 14:4), that with all his desire of peace, no one was more firm and unyielding, when any dereliction of Christian principle was required of him, than the apostle. But the case under consideration is very different. There is no sin in abstaining from certain meats, and therefore, if the good of others require this abstinence, we are bound to exercise it. The phrase, kingdom of God, almost uniformly signifies the kingdom of the Messiah, under some one of its aspects, as consisting of all professing Christians, of all his own people, of glorified believers, or as existing in the heart. It is the spiritual theocracy. The theocracy of the Old Testament was ceremonial and ritual; that of the New is inward and spiritual. Christianity, as we should say, does not consist in things external (like) Meat and drink. (Romans 14 - Hodge's Commentary on Romans) - PA

…16Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. 17These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ. 18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind.… Colossians 2: 16-18

…20If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: 21“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”? 22These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.…

23Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. Colossians 2: 20-23

Vs. 18-19 Let us pursue the things that make for peace - Constant debate over your freedoms, or pressing your restraints upon others is not seeking peace. We don't set aside sound doctrine, remember, the things we are talking about here are secondary issues at best, like I don't particularly care for country music, watching sports on television, and I find people who don't love fishing more than a little suspicious, but it is possible to still be saved and disagree with me on those issues, not likely, but with God all things are possible. Make sure we aren't pushing our preferences onto others, and that these are not the deciding factors of how we value one another. If they are saved then they are part of the same body to which you belong, and Christ is the head, not me, not you. 

…31Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 32And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.… Acts 20: 31-33

Vs 20-21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine - Abstinence is sometimes the simplest way to resolve this, to not give offense. It is not the religion of abstinence though, that is nothing, that is bad doctrine. This is for the sake of love. The cults do it for the sake of appearance, to create a works based religion, a false sense of righteousness. They will add more and more to the lifts of things to abstain from, so have some discernment and don't pledge to things too quickly, sometimes you are not even dealing with someone who believes, but rather someone carving out a totally different Christ than the One Who saves. 

…2influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. 3They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,… 1 Timothy 4: 2-4

Vs. 22-23 Whatever is not from faith is sin - Err on the side of caution. Do not beat your conscience down till it can no longer do what it was designed for. The things that help both the weak and those who think they are strong are the Word of God and prayer. 

Warren Wiersbe - Christians must not force their opinions on others (Ro 14:22-23) There are certain truths that all Christians must accept because they are the foundation for the faith. But areas of honest disagreement must not be made a test of fellowship. If you have a sincere conviction from God about a matter, keep it to yourself and do not try to force everybody else to accept it. No Christian can “borrow” another Christian’s convictions and be honest in his Christian life. Unless he can hold them and practice them “by faith,” he is sinning. Even if a person’s convictions are immature, he must never violate his conscience. This would do great damage to his spiritual life. For example, the mature Christian knows that an idol is nothing. But a young Christian, just converted out of pagan idolatry, would still have fears about idols. If the strong believer forced the new Christian to eat meat sacrificed to an idol, the younger Christian would experience problems in his conscience that would only further weaken it (see 1Cor 8–9). Conscience is strengthened by knowledge. But knowledge must be balanced by love; otherwise it tears down instead of building up. The truth that “all foods are clean” (Ro 14:14, 20) will not of itself make a Christian grow. When this truth is taught in an atmosphere of love, then the younger Christian can grow and develop a strong conscience. Believers may hold different convictions about many matters, but they must hold them in love. (Bible Exposition Commentary) - PA

…15and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man. 17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.… Acts 24: 15-17

11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the favor shown us in answer to their prayers. 12And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God— not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God. 13For we do not write you anything that is beyond your ability to read and understand. And I hope that you will understand us completely,… 2 Corinthians 1: 11-13

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#1656 Romans 14 Part 2 Whether We Live Or Die

 

One person judges one day above another, another judges every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who regards the day, regards it for the Lord, and he who eats, eats for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who does not eat, for the Lord he does not eat and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you view your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, to Me every knee shall bow,

And every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather judge this—not to put a stumbling block or offense before a brother. 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is defiled in itself; but to him who considers anything to be defiled, to him it is defiled. 15 For if because of food your brother is grieved, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be slandered; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is pleasing to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed is he who does not judge himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14: 5-23 LSB

Romans 14: 5-12

V. 5 One person judges one day above another - Thanks to the religious leaders a lot of Jews had a terrible understanding of the Sabbath. It was part of Israel's laws under a Theocracy, which they no longer had, but they got so far away from it's intent by adding things. The Pharisees never saw a ceremonial law or even moral law that they didn't feel they could add to or make a work around for. It was mostly for show though, making everything about them and losing the intent and purpose of the law. It was never wrong to do good on the Sabbath, that didn't go against it's Holy convocation or rest, but the Pharisees tried to condemn Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, and they even had rules about how far they could walk. When it said not to do work, it was telling you not to be involved in commerce, and to prepare for Saturday (the Jewish Sabbath) on Friday, so that you could dedicate the day to the Lord. You also couldn't have your servant or an unbeliever work on that day, not even a foreigner, and this allowed everyone a rest. This allowed the believer time to learn, to teach family about our relationship to God. Well, just look at what the Scriptures say.

…2And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. 3Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished. Genesis 2: 2-3

…8Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates.… 11For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.… Exodus 20: 8-11

…27Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Mark 2: 27-28

John MacArthur - Though it was no longer required by God, the weak Jewish believer felt compelled to observe the Sabbath and other special days associated with Judaism (cf. Gal. 4:9, 10+; see notes on Col. 2:16, 17+). On the other hand, the weak Gentile wanted to separate himself from the special days of festivities associated with his former paganism because of its immorality and idolatry. - J Mac Study Bible

More on the Sabbath from 1689 Confession

More on the Sabbath from 1689 Confession Part 2

More from Matthew 12

Read this example of a "weaker" brother who regarded one day above another (and it helps one understand that a "weaker" brother is not necessarily one who is not spiritually mature): In 1924 Eric Liddell, the "Flying Scotsman" was the fastest man in world in 100 meters. For months Eric Liddell trained with the purpose of winning the 100-meter race at the 1924 Olympics in Paris & indeed most sportswriters predicted he would win. Then Eric learned the qualifying heats were scheduled for Sunday. This posed a problem: Eric believed that he could not honor God by running on the Lord's Day. He simply said "I'm not running on a Sunday" & even said "no" to Prince of Wales, all because he regarded "one day above another". Eric didn’t make a big deal about it and shout his convictions from the rooftop so people would see how pious he was. Nevertheless his fans were stunned by his refusal. Some who had praised him now called him a fool. But Eric stood firm in his convictions and did not go against his conscience (Ro 14:6 "he who observes the day, observes it for the Lord" & Ro 14:23 "he who doubts is condemned if he (runs on Sunday), because his (running) is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin") . Many thought it was completely in character for Eric & a lot of the athletes were quietly impressed by it. They felt that here was a man who was prepared to stand for what he thought was right, without interfering with anyone else, and without being dogmatic. That's the power of integrity. His masseur gave him the following verse just prior to his world record race. (1Sa 2:30+ "those who honor Me I will honor")

As God's providence would have it a runner dropped out of the 400-meter race, scheduled on a weekday. Eric offered to fill the slot, even though this was four times as long as the race for which he had trained. When the 400 meters had concluded, not only did Eric win running away, but he did so in record time! What Eric did was was "acceptable to God and approved by men" (Ro 14:18). And God did honor him. And men did approve of him. However Instead of basking in the glory & potential fortune that might have been his as an Olympic gold medalist, he chose to finish his education at the U. of Edinburgh. Upon graduation he left Scotland for the missionary fields of China. As he left the train station in Edinburgh, all the faculty, students & town sang "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name"

In China he was captured by the Japanese during WWII and imprisoned with 1800 others in an area no bigger than 100 x 200 yards. In this difficult environment this man of integrity, proved to be a daily source of a righteous life lived out, bringing peace and joy, preaching, singing and ministering to his fellow prisoners, many of whom were also missionaries. He died there in 1945, shortly after his 43rd birthday, and just prior to the liberation. Although most of his fellow prisoners did not know it, Eric had been suffering headaches from what proved to be a brain tumor that caused his death. And yet despite his personal torment, this godly saint persevered to the end, proving to be a source of comfort, continuing to manifest his radiant smile literally up to the very day before he died. His biographer, Sally Magnusson, freely admitted the source of his spirituality: "He seemed to get his strength and self-discipline and his air of quiet serenity from his early-morning sessions of prayer, meditation, and Bible study… somewhere in this daily discipline of faith lay the secret of the man, perhaps the secret of how he ran." (BORROW The Flying Scotsman by Sally Magnusson)

Eric Liddell presented a compelling model for how we should live, calling himself and others to an honest life and to self-sacrifice:

"Let us put ourselves before ourselves and look at ourselves. The bravest moment of a person's life is the moment when he looks at himself objectively without wincing, without complaining, [However] self-examination that does not result in action is dangerous. What am I going to do about what I see? The action called for is surrender -- of ourselves to God."  - Precept Austin

Vs. 5b-9 Whether we live or die we are the Lords - It's not about you, your autonomy, your specialness. You couldn't save yourself, and so you have nothing to bring to God but your sin, your need. He doesn't need you, and so to give Him your life, to live for Him is actually an honor and a grace you didn't to deserve to know. At the same time it is the very least we should do, for life belongs to the Giver of life, so we are only recognizing the reality that my life is His. That is the prayer that I started praying on the back stair case at my work several years ago. I had gone through one of the worst times in my life, at home, professionally, and physically. I was on the back stairs because I didn't want anybody to see me, to find me. I was afraid of being seen as weak, and really I was just very angry too about not being in control, that stuff was happening that I couldn't solve for myself. It was with a lot of tears and difficulty I finally managed to say, "It's your right Lord, let my honor be that Christ is glorified." I realized He had purchased me on the cross so it wasn't really my life. 

John Stott comments - Life and death seem to be taken as constituting together the sum total of our human being. While we continue to live on earth and when through death we begin the life of heaven, everything we have and are belongs to the Lord Jesus and must therefore be lived to his honor and glory. (Romans- God's Good News for the World -Bible Speaks Today)

Warren Wiersbe - Paul emphasized the believer’s union with Christ: “Whether we live, therefore, or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (Ro 14:8). Our first responsibility is to the Lord. 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. (Bible Exposition Commentary) - PA

…19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20

…14For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. 15And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 16So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.… 2 Corinthians 5: 14-16

1Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them— bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed.… 2 Peter 2: 1-2

Vs. 10-12 But why do you judge your brother, or again, why do you view your brother with contempt - We are supposed to confront sin in a loving manner, but those who are not willing to pause and pray for you first are usually just enjoying a sense of superiority. It looks like he is going back to the two groups in question again, to the weaker, why do you judge the mature? Why do you assume he is sinning when it's a non essential? Have you tried asking him questions about it first? Have you prayed before you do this, or are you building another soap box? To the "more mature", why do you view your brother with contempt? Do you look down on him because he is weak, because he doesn't yet have this understanding? Did you call yourself out of darkness into light; did you write the Book? Sin has already been condemned, and we should expect non believers to sin, and this here is talking about believers. It is not talking about that which is clear and has been judged. Our brothers and sisters should confront us for stealing, for cheating on a spouse, for being a drunk etc., but where things are less clear we shouldn't assume people's intent. Sometimes people are guilty of doing things they don't know to be wrong yet. 

Judge (2919) (krino) primarily signifies to distinguish, separate or discriminate and then, to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, without necessarily passing an adverse sentence, though this is usually involved. Krino means to sift out and analyze evidence. Krino is present tense indicating that they were continually passing judgment. Passing judgment, by implication also usually conveys the idea of condemning.

We have no right to judge and condemn one another because the Judge is the Lord. Each believer will have enough to do in keeping his own account right without interfering with others’ accounts!

Referring to the conduct of the "weak" brother in Ro 14:3. Believers are not judges of other believers, whether weaker or stronger because we will all be judged by God (1Co 3:10-15; 2Co 5:10-note). However balance this truth with the fact that the church needs to keep its own fellowship pure while at the same time refraining from assuming God's role as Judge (1Cor 5:9-13). Thus the command not to judge one another does not mean we are to condone immorality and wickedness, etc, within the church. We must beware of falling into this trap for if known sin is allowed to persist, it will not lie dormant but will propagate, even as leaven spreads throughout the loaf (1Co 5:7) and ultimately will even corrupt good morals (1Cor 15:33).

One of the most sinister aspects of judging a brother or sister is judging their motives. When we do so we are saying in essence that we are omniscient and capable of reading their minds and discerning what has transpired in their life that might be impacting their words and deeds. This type of judgment is a slippery slope (cp Dt 32:35 "in due time their foot will slip") and is to be avoided at all costs. Seeking to please Christ and keeping a "Bema Seat Mentality" will help us avoid "motive" judgments. It also helps to remember that even our motives for doing "motive checks" on others will be accurately assessed (1Co 4:5, cp 1Th 2:4-note) - Precept Austin

9I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. 10I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.…

…12What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5: 9-13

Polycarp (about AD 70-156), a pupil of John the apostle, wrote in The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, "We must all appear at the judgment-seat of Christ, and every one must give an account of himself. Let us then serve Him in fear, and with all reverence, even as He Himself has commanded us, and as the apostles who preached the gospel unto us, and the prophets who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Lord [have alike taught us]" (Chapter VI – The Duties of Presbyters and Others).

Robert Moffat - "We shall have all eternity in which to celebrate our victories, but we have only one swift hour before the sunset in which to win them."

C. S. Lewis - "If you read history you will find out that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next." - PA

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#1655 Romans 14 Part 1 Weak Opinions

 

Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on opinions. 2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 The one who eats must not view the one who does not eat with contempt, and the one who does not eat must not judge the one who eats, for God accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14: 1-4 LSB

Romans 14: 1-4

V. 1 Now accept the one who is weak in the faith - We have just studied about putting away the things of the flesh, and Romans 1 has defined for us the things which God hates, that He has rightly called sin. In the last chapter we saw how love is the fulfillment of the law, for if we love God we won't transgress His commandments and if we love each other then we will not want to steal from, slander or teach others to transgress God's law. Love will always extend the truth but with mercy and hope, for it was by grace that God saved us, and having no root in our merit, so we should want the same for others. Now Paul moves us towards a certain maturity in this, that we accept baby Christians, realizing that they need milk and patience. I don't think this is a matter of different personalities, but often past experience. When I quit using drugs and alcohol I would visit a church from time to time, and people would often assume that this past made me a perfect candidate to reach and or help drug addicts. At the start that was the last place I should ever be, and I disagreed with them on this because not only was I still struggling with the temptation to use, but also with the temptation to think, look at me, I quit. The truth is that I have known atheist who quit drugs, quit drinking, lost weight etc., and none of that will save you. You have to believe in Christ, and so it has nothing to do with past that I can reach men, but everything to do with the gospel. I looked like none of the men who had the most profound effect on my life. They didn't have tattoos, they didn't have a past in drugs, promiscuity or lying and cursing all the time. What they did have is a relationship with Christ, humility, and a much deeper understanding of His Word than I did. These men also were marked by patience and a heart that broke for lost people, people like me. They realized their opinions and preferences didn't matter, and some things are just that, your opinion. I have seen people hung up on things like using King James only, and sorry, but that is your opinion, and nothing to trouble a new believer with, the Bible wasn't first written in KJV, it is just one of many English translations of the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts. You should just want them to have a good linear translation that doesn't depart from the original text, and if they are the ones insistent about KJV only, well, you should realize that the gospel is not lost in there and deal with them patiently.   

Stott goes on to summarize who the weak in faith may have been - former idol worshipers (who would be hesitant to eat meat sacrificed to idols), ascetics, legalists (as advocated by C K Barrett - see also Barclay's comments below), and finally the "fourth and most satisfactory proposal is that the weak were for the most part Jewish Christians, whose weakness consisted in their continuing conscientious commitment to Jewish regulations regarding diet and days… Further, this understanding of the background to Ro 14:1–15:7, and of its purpose to enable conservative-minded Christians (mostly Jewish) and liberal-minded Christians (mostly Gentiles) to co-exist amicably in the Christian fellowship, also prepares the way for Paul’s eloquent conclusion (Ro 15:5-7). In it the weak and the strong disappear from view, Jewish and Gentile believers take their place, and this reconciled multi-ethnic community is heard ‘with one heart and mouth’, in glorious gospel harmony, worshipping ‘the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Ro 15:6ff.)." (Ibid) - Precept Austin

…7But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that they eat such food as if it were sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 9Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.…

…10For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols? 11So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12By sinning against your brothers in this way and wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.… 1 Corinthians 8: 7-12

…3Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees! 4Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.” 5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.… Isaiah 35: 3-5

1Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, 3for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?… 1 Corinthians 3: 1-3

V. 2 But he who is weak eats vegetables only - This I think in many instances relates back to the meat sacrificed to idols, but also with the Jewish Christians the fear of compromising dietary laws and not understanding the dispensation of Grace. Paul confronts Judaizers often, those who would insist that not only did believing Gentiles need Christ, but also circumcision, also to not eat certain foods, which was not the call of the gospel. These often put themselves up as mature, as teachers, enlightened, but they were actually teaching another gospel. That isn't the issue here. The issue here is one of a weak conscience. Some of these are gentiles who used to sacrifice meat to those very idols, and they have left that, but to eat the meat knowing that it was sacrificed to the idol was a stumbling block for them. I remember being around Christians who believed it was wrong to be drunk, but not wrong to have a few drinks. Well, at the time, I could hardly comprehend having a couple of drinks, enjoying them just for the taste and not getting plastered out of my mind. So I looked at them, watched them, and then went and looked up the Scriptures about alcohol, and looked to see what men much more learned and godlier than myself had to say about it. I realized that it wasn't wrong for those men to have a drink, but that I wasn't there yet. It held too many bad memories, and also the temptation to make light and joke about things that God didn't find funny. I have also come to realize that love is a sacrificial thing, and that liberties like that are a very small sacrifice to give up for the conscience of a new believer. We need to be careful in differentiating between a baby believer who is struggling with concepts and opinions and someone who is fronting as a mature believer and trying to get up and teach as doctrine his opinions, imposing his will upon others to push his or here preferences. 

…3They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, 5because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.… 1 Timothy 4: 3-5

…9Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. 11Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.… 2 John 1: 9-11

…2He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the streets. 3A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. 4He will not grow weak or discouraged before He has established justice on the earth. In His law the islands will put their hope.”… Isaiah 42: 2-4

…21To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.… 1 Corinthians 9: 21-23

8Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth. 9I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction. 10So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.… 3 John 1: 8-10

V. 3-4 With contempt - You may realize that an idol is nothing, and that the meat that ends up at the discount butcher table is a lot cheaper and fair game, but your weaker brother may elevate the eating of that meat to the level of sacrifice in his mind. Do you look down on him for this? No, and if you do, well then you really aren't the mature believer that you thought you were. At the same time, if you are convinced that something is a sin that other believers aren't, and it is something where there is room for debate, then you are not to judge. If someone ask me to have a drink with them I can simply say, "no thankyou", no soap box needed. I think it's wrong to leave a new believer hanging on questions of conscience though, so I if they ask you about the meat that is bothering them, explain it with Scripture, not your opinion, and make sure they realize that you in no way condone the worshiping of idols. I eat in restaurants run by everything from atheists to Islamicist, and would quite literally have to remove myself to the woods or completely out of this world to avoid interactions with sinners or people who believe differently than me. That is not what we are commanded to do. We are actually supposed to go out into the world and preach the gospel. Telling people what to eat, what musical instruments to play, or what color their clothes should be has nothing to do with the gospel. Ultimately we will all have to stand before God, that is Who we will give account to.

MacDonald - A weak Christian is one who has unfounded scruples over matters of secondary importance. In this context, he was often a converted Jew who still had scruples about eating non-kosher foods or working on Saturday. The first principle is this: a weak Christian should be received into the local fellowship, but not with the idea of engaging him in disputes about his ultra scrupulousness. Christians can have happy fellowship without agreeing on nonessentials. (Believer's Bible Commentary)

John MacArthur - The strong = Liberated brothers and sisters in Christ fully understand what it means to be free in Christ‑‑ they don't cling to meaningless traditions and forms of religion. They understand fully that they are free from sin, death, hell, and Satan. They understand they are not obligated to follow holy days and ceremonies. They know they are free to make choices dependent on how the Spirit of God moves in their hearts. Such people are strong in the faith. The weak = These individuals continue to hang onto the rituals and ceremonies of their past, refusing to let go. They don't believe they have freedom in Christ to do otherwise. Such freedom threatens them, so they prefer remain as they are. The temptation: (a) The contempt of the strong - The strong are tempted to look down on the weak as legalistic, faithless people who get in the way of those who are trying to enjoy their liberty. They resent the weak for labeling their rightful freedoms in Christ as sin. (b) The condemnation of the weak - The weak tend to condemn the strong for what they see as an abuse of liberty. However they are not in the position to judge since they don't understand what Christian liberty is. (Receiving One Another with Understanding, Part 1)

MacArthur - Paul is questioning any believer's right to evaluate someone else's servant. Their opinion doesn't improve or impair that servant's position before his own master. Judgment by an outsider is irrelevant. (Receiving One Another with Understanding, Part 2)

The servant of another - "Paul speaks of judging “another’s”, not “another man’s”; his illustration is taken from human affairs, but he has in mind the divine Master. The possessive means that the servant in question belongs to and therefore is accountable to that Other. If a servant is acceptable to his master, it does not matter what his fellow servants think." (See The Epistle to the Romans)

Of Another - In context the "another" clearly refers to Christ as the Master, for we have all been bought with the price of His precious blood and thus belong solely to the Savior (Titus 2:14, 1Cor 6:19-20, 1Pe 2:9) - PA

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