Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. Romans 14:1 (NIV)Paul was not afraid to deal with lifestyle issues. In fact, chapter 14 does just that. Many issues were not issues of salvation but lifestyle choices and opinions that could negatively affect one's salvation.
Some people are weak in their faith. For them, falling from faith is easy especially when they engaged in actions they were incapable of resisting or when they hold onto legalistic traditions that deemed normal practices as sins. One such practice was their refusal to eat meat that had been sacrificed to an idol. Their legalistic view was that the meat became impure when used in an ungodly ritual. Such people were not to be turned away from the church. They were to be taught and encouraged. Their weak faith was not a sin.
At the same time, those of a stronger faith were to be sensitive to weaknesses of the weak. The stronger in faith were to mind their actions so not to cause the weaker to lapse into sin. To judge someone for their weak faith is to judge God's work in them and to judge God's acceptance of them. Jesus said it is better to have a millstone tied around your neck and drown than to cause a little one to sin. The same principle applies to those who cause the weaker in faith to sin or to who cause the weaker to be pushed away from the church's guidance.
Lifestyle opinions have plagued the church for generations upon generations. People have an argumentative nature especially when they feel their lifestyles are being attacked. The weak are offended because they have viewed some things as sinful while the strong are offended by the views of the weak. Oh how I could go on here.
The crux of the matter is not found in lifestyle but in the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is of:
- righteousness (doing the right things)
- peace (God's provision of a quietness for the soul)
- and joy (enjoying fellowship with God and with other believers, weak or strong)
He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. Romans 14:6 (NIV)All of it originates with our walk in the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25, 26). As Paul says in verse 6, we celebrate days to the Lord, eat (after giving thanks) to the Lord, and abstain to the Lord. Each of those can be personal preferences but none are salvation issues. They are issues we engage in our lifestyles as an act of worship. To do something we think is wrong is to cheapen our faith, and that becomes an act of sin.
I am almost wondering if Paul is trying to get those stronger in faith to also abstain from acts that weaken the church and its influence in the community. For example, drinking alcoholic beverages is accepted as normal in many societies. At the same time excesses of alcohol lead to some of societies most dreadful and reprehensible acts: drunk drivers who kill, battery, sexual sins, and more. To perform certain actions could cause a person of weak faith to stumble back into sin (being drunk is not an excuse for sinning). For the stronger it is better to declare absolute abstinence in order to keep the weak from falling. Doing so should be an easy act for the stronger as a way of showing love and compassion.
Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. Romans 14:16 (NIV)Even if you think certain lifestyle choices are acceptable, your abstinence could keep you from harming the faith of a weaker Christian. That's what love is all about. Besides, as seen in verse 16, abstinence builds up the respect others have for you because they do not have anything to criticize you about, especially those who seek hypocrites around every corner.
So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. Romans 14:22 (NIV)Paul urges Christians to "make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." God's work is more important than our temporary pleasures. "Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself" by destroying God's work in others "by what he approves."
- How does acting in righteousness help to benefit other Christians and those outside the church?
- How can peace be used in the way we interact with others?
- In what ways does joy determine how our lives reflect the presence of God?
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