ROMANS UNWRAPPED 211

"Let him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations."    Romans 14v1

We come now to the aspect of our devotion to God in the context of Christian liberty.   The word "but" which is in the original at the beginning of this sentence links it to the previous teaching.   This business of Christian liberty is very much part of Christian life.   It has to do with Christian conduct in matters where God does not specify exactly what to do in every situation.   Unlike the Jewish religion, which has over 2000 specific instructions for their lives, Christians have no such rule book, instead they are encouraged to follow the teachings and the examples of Christ and His apostles.   This was a very real problem in the early church and is no less a problem today.   It is quite possible that this is the very reason why the Roman epistle was written, because only in the practical unity of believers would the gospel prosper.   There is a direct link in scripture between the unity of God's people and the blessing of God in the world at large.   The problem is this:  some will do one thing, and one another, but both within the will of God.   Some will allow practices in their lives which have no moral implications, whereas others will see such practices as sinful.   For some, everything is black and white, everything is moral or immoral, there is no in between.    However, there are things which are amoral, that is that have no moral consequences.   The problem arises when those who have scruples about certain practices seek to impose their will on others, causing tension in the body of Christ.   In the latter part of chapter 13 Paul has warned believers against a far too lax approach to our fallen nature, indulging in things that God has condemned.   Now in chapter 14 he comes to the opposite end of the spectrum and is now focusing on people who are far too strict in their Christian faith, seeking to impose their own standards on the lives of others which God has not specified.   This inevitably leads to human rule rather than Divine rule causing dispeace in the congregation of saints.

If we were being honest with ourselves, this is a greater problem than we are prepared to admit, and because it has a direct bearing on the spread of the gospel worldwide, it becomes a major issue.   The Lord Jesus Christ in His prayer in John chapter 17 directly linked the unity of believers with the success of gospel missions;   "That they all may be one, as Thou Father art in me and I in Thee that the also may be one in us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me."   John 17v21    The progress of the gospel will depend on a united front in the body of Christ, and this is perhaps the reason why Paul in this chapter devotes so much time to the issue.  

There are two extremes; scrupulous nit- picking in spiritual things, seeking to control others in matters which are not specified in scripture; on the other hand those who are at liberty to hold their Christian faith while engaging in practices others see as wrong, they despise those who are judging them.   It must be made clear that we are not here speaking of matters of doctrine, or matters of morality which are clearly laid out in scripture.   We are speaking here of largely cultural matters and in particular practices carried forward from Jewish and other religions.   Paul's reference in verse 17 of chapter 14  "The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost."   makes clear what the issues are.   A study of the latter part of Colossians chapter 2 would reveal a similar teaching.  

In matters of doctrine clearly stated we are all  "to speak the same thing "  1st Corinthians 1v10; in matters of morality we accept the standards of the Holy Spirit as stated in Galatians 5v19-21 and other passages; in all other matters we are to demonstrate grace and liberty.   In doctrinal and moral essentials there can be no compromise; in matters of conscience before God there must be liberty.   This is the whole point of this chapter.   The emphasis is on unity in diversity.   Unity is not the same as uniformity.   God does not want clones in the church.   We are all as different as our faces and we must allow latitude in non essential matters.  

Four times over in the section chapter 14v1 - 15v7 Paul repeats the phrase "one another"; chapter 14v13 ; chapter 14v19 ; chapter 15v5 ; chapter 15v7 .   The function of the body of Christ in the world is to preach and to live out the gospel.   A body at odds with itself is ill and cannot function, and it is just possible that today the lack of gospel effort and success is down to just this fact.   Next we shall outline the chapter in its context, but for now it is well that we take on board the solemn responsibility of Christians to be mature, to allow differences whilst maintaining a unity of spirit.