One thing that is very visible at Christian conventions is how similar we are and, at the same time, how different we all are. People come from different places, and it is very interesting to observe, on the one hand, the joy of fellowship, and on the other hand, all sorts of questions and even surprises about different things. It is not uncommon to have to answer questions like: “Why are they clapping there?”, “What about this or that?”, “Is it okay to play cards or not?” For some, playing cards is completely inconceivable, while for others there is nothing wrong with it.
This theme from the Holy Scriptures will help us understand how believers should relate to different opinions on questions we constantly encounter. Let’s clarify right away: we are not talking about obvious sin—murder, theft, or adultery—because there should be no disagreement there. We are talking about things for which there is no clear and obvious biblical instruction as to whether it is a sin or not. These are issues that people present as sin through indirect methods or deduction from various texts of Scripture.
As the basis for our reflections, we will read from the 14th chapter of the Epistle to the Romans.
The Strong and the Weak in Faith
“Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him” (Rom. 14:1–3).
Paul, of course, is not talking about vegetarianism. To correctly understand this text, one needs a bit of historical context. The Jews had, and still have, a special diet. They could not consume all types of meat. But that’s not all: even if the meat was clean according to the law of Moses, the question of how it was prepared also mattered. How the animal was slaughtered, whether the blood was poured out on the ground, whether it was boiled with milk—all this could make the food unclean. When Jews lived outside of Israel, for example in Rome, another problem was added: was this meat offered to idols? Most of the meat among the Gentiles that was sold in shops was precisely from sacrifices to idols.
In this situation, religious Jews acted like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—they ate only vegetables. But now some of them had become Christians and were attending the same church as Gentiles. And, of course, problems over opinions arose—as always.
Let’s see how Paul resolves this issue and what advice he gives to both groups. We will read until verse 19, following the logical transitions of Paul’s thought. At the same time, we will try to derive the principle that guided him in giving instructions to the Christians in Rome.
In the first three verses, we see two main opposing groups, their behavior regarding food, and their attitude toward those who think differently.
1. The group that eats meat. This group believes that nothing is unclean and that one can eat what God created. This group is inclined to think that the other group has not matured, that they are still infants and don’t understand much—and they despise them in some way.
2. The group that does not eat meat (offered to idols)—those whom Paul calls weak in faith. Paul understands that the problem here is faith that Christ is the end of the law and that Christians do not need to follow all the dietary rules of the Old Testament, as decided at the first apostolic council in the 15th chapter of the book of Acts. Despite this, this group judges the other because they behave too freely and eat whatever they like.
Paul’s general call in verse 3:
- To the first group: do not despise those who do not eat meat.
- To the second group: do not judge those who eat.
This is a general principle: so that no one in the church judges anyone else for what their conscience and faith allows or does not allow.
And what grounds does Paul have for giving such advice?
Do Not Judge Another’s Servant
“Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks” (Rom. 14:4–6).
The first thing Paul says is: “Who are you to judge another’s servant?” It is not your business to judge the other group, because no one has placed you over them. Notice, Paul says “another’s servant”—it is not your business to judge another, because this other is a servant of God, not yours. And in verse 5, he essentially says: “You act as you think, and it is not your business to judge another.”
We Live for the Lord
“For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living” (Rom. 14:7–9).
The second thing Paul says: we do not live or die for ourselves, but for God. Our life belongs to God, and our goal is not to live for ourselves, but we are servants of Christ and live for Him. Both groups belong to Christ, and He is the Lord of all.
Each Will Give an Account for Himself
“But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:10–12).
Third: we will all eventually stand at the judgment, and each will give an account to God for how he lived on this earth. Paul’s logic is this: we should not judge each other because, firstly, it is not our business, and secondly, both will give an account to God themselves. We don’t need to do it for others—it’s better to think ourselves about the account we will give to God.
If we stopped at this verse, we might think: if that’s the case, then everyone is on their own. I will live as I think is right, and the rest is not my business. By the way, many think exactly like that: “What business is it of theirs how I live? It’s between me and God, it’s my personal opinion, and I do what I think is right.”
Paul, of course, knows that such a question will arise. Whenever you say something to people, they fall into one extreme or the other. Having told them that they should not judge each other, Paul warns them not to fall into the other extreme.
Do Not Give Offense
“Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil” (Rom. 14:13–16).
An interesting turn of thought. Even if you are convinced that this or that is permissible for you and there is no problem in it, if your actions cause your brother or sister to stumble, then you are no longer walking in love. What does Paul mean? He means the commandment “love your neighbor as yourself.” By acting in a way that your neighbor is offended, you have placed yourself and your desires above others—and you are not walking in love.
Here, of course, there is an extreme, and one must have wisdom on how to act. We must distinguish what serves as an offense or a stumbling block—what can lead to a brother or sister leaving the church because of you. We are not talking about things that someone simply doesn’t like. If you look at what people like or don’t like, you will never find something that everyone likes. People might not like what car you drive, or whether you wear a tie. But the question here is not that. The question is: what are the consequences of your actions for your brother or sister? If what you do can stumble one of the believers so that they no longer even want to go to church because of you, then you have already sinned and have not acted in love.
The principle by which a believer should act: do so that the good name we bear as Christians is not blasphemed, and so that our actions do not serve to make someone leave the church or even the faith because of our behavior.
If we look at believers, the logic is often this: “What is the most I can allow myself without sinning?” How much alcohol can I drink without sinning? How provocatively can I dress without sinning? How rudely can I speak without sinning? How much can I discuss others without sinning as a gossip? It is as if we are trying to expand the boundaries of what is allowed to the very maximum, without thinking of others.
But a Christian should not think this way. A Christian’s logic is not “how much am I allowed to do without sinning,” but a Christian’s logic should be: “how much can I limit myself to win people for Christ!”
Why? Because our life is not for ourselves, but for the service of Christ.
Seek That Which Serves Peace
“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Rom. 14:17–19).
The Kingdom of God is not a question of “to eat or not to eat.” It is not all those dividing issues that separate one group of people from another. As Paul says, it is “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” The righteousness we receive by faith, peace with God and people, the joy of our salvation in the Holy Spirit—this is what we should think about and rejoice in, rather than looking for issues that divide us and fighting for one position or another.
As Paul says in verse 19: “let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” This is what a Christian should do: seek what serves to edify one another, not arguments that do not edify but divide. A Christian should seek peace, not find things to argue about long and fiercely.
Conclusion
Paul gave very good advice. Taking the example of meat offered to idols, he not only explained what should be done in this specific matter but also gave a general principle by which believers should act.
Think about what you do in the church and among brothers and sisters. Do your actions serve mutual edification and peace, or do they serve division and arguments?
Amen.