Romans 14

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.  Romans 14:1

In Romans 14, Paul is writing to the Jews and Gentiles in Rome about the issues of accepting one another with love and not being judgmental of our fellow heirs in Christ.  They were struggling with the differences between Greek and Jewish traditions and culture, probably in relation to festivals and dietary requirements.  Though, if we look around at ourselves I don’t think Paul’s words seeped in.  How do we avoid judging each other?  I know I have a terrible time avoiding it.  It seems socially embedded into our being.  We all make up our minds about things and perceive each other’s flaws.  Why else would we be warned not to do it (Matt. 7:1-2)?

It is my job to inspect and convey to the responsible parties the compliance issues that I perceive.  Even though there are a list of laws and regulations, ultimately I am the one that determines, in that moment, whether or not what they do is wrong.  I have training and other people’s guidance on the laws and the interpretation, but I am still the one who decides if what I see is a violation or not.  Doing this as a vocation I know that many do not agree with my interpretation at times.  Conflict and a broken relationship is often the result.  And this is a work environment in relation to hazardous materials and safety topics!  How much more do we divide ourselves by judging each other?

Perhaps I am being too global to the idea, but I am merely attempting to establish that our fallen nature leans us to judge one another.  With our fellow Christians, we have to be aware of what we do.  What is the result of our actions? 

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. Romans 14:13

            We need to be purposeful not to judge each other within the church.  It is hard.  What is a stumbling block?  It drives me nuts when the music is loud at church.  Is that a stumbling block?  I would argue no.  It is irritating and perhaps physically damaging (depending on the Time Weighted Average and OSHA limits), but the fact that it is loud does not challenge my faith or cause me to sin.  It is just personal preference.  So what is a stumbling block?

I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclear. If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Romans 14: 14-15

            In reality, it could be just about anything that creates distress in someone else.  We are not talking concern or disgust, but it makes sense.  You don’t take a compulsive gambler to a casino or a recovering alcoholic to a bar.  This goes beyond that however.  It is a relationship issue, one with God and one with our fellow believers.   

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.  Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.  It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. 
Romans 14: 19-22

            Live with Christians in a loving manner.  If someone is a smoker, don’t get down on them because you consider that ungodly.  Ask them to work with you on not tempting others and be nice about it.  If you are a smoker, be aware some people have issues with the habit.  Someone may be struggling with trying to give it up, for health reasons or because they feel that they should treat their body differently as a Christian.  Maybe skip that smoke before the Church service so you don’t have the familiar odor on you.  Or at least don’t smoke in the church parking lot so that everyone sees you. 

            If you notice, there are two instructions in the above passage: 1) Keep it between you and God and 2) Do not doubt.  Be sure about what you are doing and keep it to yourself and God.  God is the integral part of the issue.  Can you drink?  Ask God.  It is an issue between you and Him.  If you make it an issue between you and another believer, you are stepping in between God and the other believer.  That is not our place.  It is certainly not a safe place to be.

I do believe that there is a time to discuss certain things like drinking, smoking and other ‘issues’ that may be out there.  That time is in a safe place when key terms are defined, the parties are willing to set aside their emotion and earnestly looking into the subject; knowing full well that it may not be solved at the end of the day.  Otherwise we end up with people making accusing statements on Facebook posts and calling each other prejudice.  Coming together with believers on other topics in love could be quite revolutionary.