Jump Start # 1027

Romans 14:2 “One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.”

Romans 14—here we go! This chapter has been the center of much controversy. Volumes and volumes have been written about Romans 14, analyzing every word in detail and grasping for the central thought that the Holy Spirit was driving at. You may find it unique that a chapter that is highly doctrinal can be the basis of a devotional piece, such as Jump Starts. There are some key observations here that we can learn and benefit from.

The background was a difference in views regarding eating meats. This was an individual practice. This wasn’t a church service. The difference was not about diet, or which is healthier, or what doctors recommend, or even losing weight. The differences were a matter of faith. The pagans often sacrificed meat to their gods. The meat would be stamped and then sold in the market place. Did the buying and eating of that meat condone idolatry and was it wrong to eat that meat? This wasn’t a small matter. This subject is brought up in the Corinthian letter.

Within the Roman church, brethren were divided on this. Some could eat that kind of meat without it bothering them. Others couldn’t. But it didn’t stop there. Those that couldn’t, also couldn’t understand those that could. As a result there were some very bad feelings toward each other. One group was judging the other as being wrong. The other group, in return, viewed them back with contempt. Tension. Ill feelings. A church headed for a collision. Paul uses the expressions “strong” and “weak” to refer to these two groups. He reveals that God accepts both groups. It doesn’t matter to God, if you eat the meats or you don’t. Now, the big issue at hand is accepting each other. If God can accept them both, can they accept each other? Romans 14, is the platform to build bridges.

Today, most would ignore these words and start their own church. There would be two churches in town: a vegetarian church and a meat lovers church. That’s how we settle things. But in reality, we don’t settle anything. We run from the problems, pride rises to the top and we refuse to sit at the table and discuss these things. It is easier to point fingers, to accuse, to judge and to do the very things that Paul was trying to avoid in Romans 14. It is astonishing to me that a chapter about peace is the center of debate and the platform for division among some brethren. It seems to me that we ought to put the pens down, and open the Bible up and read Romans 14 one more time.

Some thoughts:

1. Only God can declare something sinful. Sin is a violation of God’s law. One person doing something that I don’t think is right, doesn’t mean he is wrong with God. I can declare that someone has sinned, yet that doesn’t mean he has. Because I think it is wrong, does not mean that it is. The vegetarians thought the those who ate meats were wrong. They could protest very loudly that they have sinned. God didn’t say that. God didn’t agree with that. God accepted them, meat and all. Now, the opposite is just as true. Because I believe something is right, doesn’t mean that God does. Because I see nothing wrong with something doesn’t mean that it is acceptable to God. My eyes may be closed. I may want something so much that I am not looking at it from God’s perspective. Right and wrong are prerogatives of God, not us.

2. Most of us, if not all of us, are strong and weak on different topics. We like the term “strong.” We want to be in the “strong” camp. The expression “Weak” is implying a weak conscience on that one issue. The vegetarians were “weak” about the subject of eating meats. It bothered their conscience. Weak is not a gauge of their faith. They had convictions that were based upon faith. They couldn’t do it. They didn’t compromise. They didn’t sell out. They walked by their convictions. They manifested amazing faith. Nearly all of us are “weak” on some things and “strong” on other things. Paul’s use of these words is not a total description of their faith. We tend to think of weak as shallow faith. That’s not the intention of the word here. There are things we all have scruples about. I know some folks who do not think it’s right to do anything with Christmas. It’s not Jesus’ birthday and they don’t want any connection with it. Others, like me, say, “bring on the presents!” On that specific issue, one is weak and the other is strong. I have my things. I believe worship ought to start on time. I get antsy when it’s time to start and we haven’t started. Others don’t seem to be bothered by that. They know we’ll get started, but something is causing a delay. Weak—strong. We are both. It is not a measure of faith, but the conviction we have about a specific issue. Being in the weak column isn’t wrong, nor is it a sign of poor faith. We have different backgrounds, different experiences, and those things affect us. Some of us grew up knowing only this fellowship. Others, came from totally different backgrounds. The baggage we carry shapes our thinking. Bible knowledge shapes our thinking. The Jews and Gentiles came from different backgrounds. Eating meats, unclean or sacrificed to idols, would be viewed differently from their perspective.

So I am weak on some things. That’s not bad. That doesn’t mean I need to change. It means I have convictions about something. So I am strong on other things. That doesn’t mean I am superior to those who can’t do what I can. Strong and weak—we are both.

3. We spend a huge amount of time and energy trying to change everyone around us to be like us. Parents do that. Brethren do that. We start with the assumption that you need to be like me. You need to like what I like and you need to do what I do. Romans 14 shows that we can be different on some things and still be united. This was not a congregational practice. This was something that God had approved both sides. It bothers us when someone is doing things differently than what we do. We immediately think that they are wrong. Romans 14 gives examples where that is not true. We think that they must change. They don’t have to. We are not all cookie cutter Christians. We have different talents, different strengths and different convictions. As long as we are walking with God and shaping our views by the Bible, that’s what is important.  I tend to think that if I spent as much time looking at myself as I do everyone else, I’d be a better person. We can be harsh toward others, while grasping for excuses for our own failures. Let’s judge others less and put more attention on our walk with the Lord.

Romans 14—great chapter. Great lessons. Great hope for brethren who saw things differently.

Roger