Not Against each other but For each other (Romans 14:1-23)

[Stephan Choe]

September 2, 2021

Key Verses 19-20a: “Let us therefore strive for that which serves for peace and for edification among one another. Do not destroy God's work because of the food. "

Almost all members of a political party have agreed opinions on politics such as tax, security, housing, social, economic, foreign policy, etc. If someone has a different opinion than his party, he should rather change parties.

A Christian church is not like a political party. Each of the church is allowed to have their own opinion about food, clothing, politics, etc. Despite these differences, the church should maintain their cordial unity.

How can we maintain such heartfelt unity in the church?

We now want to learn from Paul how we can have a warm fellowship in spite of the different opinions.

1. Of the differences of opinion (1-9)

When Paul wrote this letter, there were both Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians in Christianity. Gentile Christians had little to do with Jewish tradition. On the other hand, Jewish Christians were familiar with the Jewish tradition from birth.

For example, they don't eat pork because it's forbidden in the Old Testament. In contrast, non-Jewish Christians like to eat pork. When a carnal dish is on the table, the Jewish Christians first ask, “What kind of meat is that?” When you say “Pork!”, they don't eat. But the non-Jewish Christians immediately start eating and say, "Mmmhmm, delicious!"

Paul gives yet another example in verse 5:

“One thinks one day is greater than another; but the other thinks all days are the same."

For example, Jewish Christians believe that they should worship on Saturday because Saturday is the Sabbath. On the other hand, non-Jewish Christians believe that they should worship on Sunday because Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Sunday. Because of such differences of opinion, a dispute could arise in the church and the dispute could divide the church. Such a division is far more harmful to Christianity than an outside threat such as persecution.

Most Christians today are mostly young spiritually. By young Christians I mean Christians who believe in Jesus Christ but should learn to follow Christ's teaching properly. So we are still weak spiritually.

Our weak points vary depending on the person. Some cannot let go of their old way of thinking or living yet. Others are emotional and act according to their feelings. Still others do not like to give in to others.

We are like three disciples of Jesus who were sleepy while Jesus prayed for life and death in Getsemane. We are quick to forget the grace of God and become dissatisfied and ungrateful.

Because we are not yet mature Christians, there is a risk that we will quarrel with one another in the church.

What advice does Paul give us?

Paul says to us:

“1 Do accept the weak in faith and do not quarrel over opinions.

2 The one believes that he is allowed to eat everything; but he who is weak (in faith) does not eat meat.

3 He who eats meat do not despise him who does not eat; and he who does not eat meat do not judge him who eats. Because God accepted him."

We should avoid arguments about irrelevant things. There are essential things of the Christian faith that we must not abandon under any circumstances, e.g. B. the gospel of Jesus' death and resurrection. But there are many unessential things, such as what to wear or what to eat. Most disputes arise because of the insubstantial things. We shouldn't argue about such things. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion for themselves (verse 5c).

We should appreciate and love others who disagree. We should accept them and encourage them. If we accept and encourage them in this way, we can have good fellowship with them and build the church.

Finally, Paul says,

"7 No one of us lives for himself, and none dies for himself. 8 Live, then we live for the Lord, and we die, then we die for the Lord."

Because Jesus bought us with his blood on the cross, our lives belong entirely to the Lord. Therefore we should live to the Lord and die to him. So Jesus Christ is our purpose in life and at the same time our aim in life.

Before we believed in Jesus Christ, we lived all for ourselves. We were proud when we did something good. But when we failed a little, we felt bad. And the end of our life was death and hell. That was miserable.

But by the grace of God we are delivered from this cursed life. We have received eternal, happy life as a gift from God. So now we shouldn't live complacent. Rather, we should build up the church of Christ out of a grateful, joyful heart. We should do everything, for examples eat, drink, work, sleep and also die for the Lord.

2. About judging (10-13)

So far, Paul has given us his advice not to argue over differences of opinion.

Now he says about judging others:

“But you, what do you judge your brother? Or you, what do you despise your brother?

We will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

11 For it is written: <As I live, said the Lord, all knees shall bow to me, and all tongues shall profess God.>

12 So then each of us shall answer to God for himself.

13 Therefore let us no longer judge the other, but focus your mind that no one offends his brother. "

Today one often criticizes others. The word “criticize” can mean “to judge”.

Why should we avoid judging others?

The first reason is that our judgment can often be wrong.

We tend to talk unnecessarily about the seemingly bad deeds of others. In doing so, we prematurely condemn others, although we neither exactly know their motives nor all the facts.

How do judges judge in court proceedings?

Judges first hear all statements from the plaintiffs and defense counsel, carefully examine the evidence and then pronounce the verdict.

Despite this care, the judgment may possibly be wrong. How much more can our one-sided judging be wrong? We should take seriously the danger that with our hasty judgment we often wrongly judge others and thereby cause great damage.

The second reason we should not judge others is because most of the time we judge others because of our sinful human nature.

Everyone has a tendency to secretly enjoy themselves when others turn bad. Because of this, we often tend to badmouth and judge others.

There are Internet sites where you can write anonymously about your personal problem and write other suggestions for solutions to the problem.

A girl writes:

“It sounds really shitty, bad and selfish now, but whenever others are doing well, I feel rather bad and when others are bad, I automatically feel good all of a sudden. That's totally sick, isn't it?!

I am actually a person who is always there for others and I am actually mostly satisfied with myself and my life and I am also happy for others when they have a reason to be happy about something.

But somehow I feel worse anyway. This is not only the case with people I don't like or know so well, but above all with those who are really close to me and who are most important to me!"

Another comments: “Humans are naturally selfish because of their instinct for self-preservation. For some it is more pronounced, for others it is less pronounced. If someone else is happy and you just can't be, you might even get a little jealous. It happens to everyone and I can assure you that it doesn't always stay that way. As long as you don't let anyone show it, no one will judge you for it, simply because you're not the only one with it."

Although by the grace of Christ we have been forgiven and become children of God, we have not yet become like angels. That is, something of our sinful tendencies remains within us. This is why we should keep reminding ourselves that we are forgiven sinners. And we should avoid judging others.

Our gratitude for God's grace should lead us not to judge others, but to meet them with love.

The third reason we should not judge others is because God alone is authorized to judge the living and the dead.

God alone knows every person, his thoughts and his actions exactly. That is why God alone is entitled to judge and judge people. And our judging is a violation of divine law.

3. Of the Act out of Love (14-23)

To be clean or unclean - that is what the Old Testament speaks of. Cattle, sheep, etc. are clean. That is why Jews are allowed to eat beef and sheep meat. But pigs are unclean. Anyone who eats pork becomes unclean as a result. That's why Jews don't eat pork.

But Jesus Christ said about it: "It is not what a person eats that makes him unclean, but what comes out of a person (that is, what a person thinks, speaks or does) makes him unclean" (Mk. 7:15) .

With this word Jesus Christ declared that we can eat anything.

But Paul advises us that we should show consideration for weak brothers and sisters in faith and that we should not cause offense to our brothers and sisters by unimportant things.

So says Paul:

“14 I know and assuredly in the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean in oneself; It is unclean only for those who think it is unclean.

15 But if your brother is grieved because of your food, you no longer act out of love. Do not destroy the brother for whom Christ died through your food."

Paul goes on to say,

“17 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

19 Therefore let us strive for that which is for peace and edification among one another."

What does Paul mean by his word “The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”? We can understand the word “righteousness” through the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector in Luke 18.

A Pharisee and a tax collector have come into the temple to pray.

The self-righteous Pharisee enumerates the good things he has done for God.

The tax collector, however, hits his chest and says: "God, have mercy on me!"

Jesus declares the tax collector to be righteous, because he confesses his sin and asks God for forgiveness.

We should confess our sin and gratefully accept God's forgiveness. When we confess our sin and accept God's forgiveness in Jesus Christ, we have deep peace.

Jesus Christ says: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

If we have accepted this peace through faith, we are children of God. Jesus' peace cannot be robbed even through death, for we will rise from the dead and enter the kingdom of heaven.

We should share this peace with others. And joy also belongs to us who believe in Jesus Christ.

We often get sad about various things.

But Jesus Christ can comfort us and give us exuberant joy, as he says:

"Your sadness should be transformed into joy" (John 16:20).

He gives us the strength to overcome our grief and to be happy.

We don't need to suppress what worries us.

But Jesus gives us joy that God will safely solve our problems and let us come out victorious.

Most of all, God gives us joy by being with us in Christ. Because God is with us wherever we are, we have great joy. Therefore: wherever we are, there is God's kingdom.

 We shouldn't be against each other, but for each other. We are to enjoy justice, peace, and joy in Christ and share them with others. Amen!