Romans 14:10-19 Trading our rights for what is right
Romans 14:10-19
10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Background
Paul calls believers to do all to build up their brothers, if need be, to forsake their rights and freedom in Christ. Believers are not to judge or belittle their “weaker” brothers when they continue in their old habits and values system. What is acceptable to God is to build up one another through the fruit of the Spirit. What truly makes a community God’s Kingdom is a righteous values system filled with peace and joy.
Observation & Truth
10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
We are not to come to a conclusion that a person is worthless or beneath consideration because he is “weak” in faith. The only One who could make that judgment is the Judge Himself. Hence, the reckoning will come on the Day of Judgment where every person will account directly to God. Faith does not just refer to moral matters, it concerns what the believer thinks his faith in Christ allows him to do or not to do. It is customary for some Roman Catholic believers to keep a picture of Christ’s image in their wallet or purse as that gives them comfort that God is with them. Most Christians disapprove of such a practice branding that as unchristian bordering on pagan practices. In fact, many of such believers use imagery to remind them of their Lord, but not to worship the image per se. Nevertheless, we are to respect one another’s convictions and not to judge another as each is accountable to God.
13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
We are not to despise one who seems to be weak in faith, but to build him up and not causing him to fall: never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. Putting a stumbling block means causing a person to lose trust in God because of an inappropriate behavior of one who is perceived as a godly model. For example, a high percentage of people from Indonesia smoke cigarettes. It is no surprise that many believers that come from Indonesia including pastors smoke. When believers from cultures that disapprove of smoking either for health and “religious” reasons upon meeting pastors with cigarettes between their fingers become confused and dismayed. Although smoking is not explicitly forbidden in the bible, it presents an occasion to stumble a weaker brother.
Another example concerns the standard of appropriate dressing. One female pastor dresses in a skimpy way that borders on worldliness. She insists that as a means to blend into the culture of the world so that the world could be won over. By doing that, she goes against the values of a modest dress sense that is expected of a pastor and stumbled many. As a result, many from that church find it acceptable to wear skimpily and dance provocatively.
Another example concerns doctrine. One pastor insists that believers in the new covenant no longer need to confess their sins as believers are permanently forgiven. For a mature believer, he knows that his relationship with God is unbreakable and in a sense, beyond forgiveness. However, for a young believer who has just emerge from a world of sin and darkness, the discipline of confession will certainly help him sanctify himself. Confession of sins involves acknowledging the wrong that is done and to express remorse before God. Therefore, by invalidating the act of confession, it causes a believer to think that he does not need to repent and express remorse before God; and that stumbles him.
14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.
Paul is specifically talking about the issue of food in the context of Judaism where food must be prepared in a certain way, or referring to certain food category that is classified as unclean and must not be consumed. Food in itself does not cause one to be more acceptable or unacceptable to God: nothing is unclean in itself. In today’s context, the cigarette, the dressing, or certain practices in themselves are neutral; it is the culture and the attitudes of people that determines its acceptability. Therefore, the focus is how we should adapt, to refrain from smoking, to dress appropriately so as to upbuild one another. Believers should choose not to exercise their freedom if it hinders the “weaker” brother: By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.
I know of a pastor who loves chinese culture and art. He owns some art pieces that chinese people display in their homes to bring luck. These are the personified deities of prosperity, happiness and longevity (“Fu Lu Shou”). He also has some paintings that contains dragons and characters from the chinese folklore. Some believers, especially those who emerged from chinese idolatry may be confused when they see such things in a pastor’s home. Although the art pieces are neutral and may even be good cultural pieces, but it presents an occasion for stumbling.
Another example concerns prudence in spending our financial resources. Believers have to be sensitive in the way they portray themselves in public even though they possess the spending capacity to afford branded clothing, flashy accessories and gadgets. They unintentionally project an unhealthy culture that values material wealth above inner virtues. Even though mature believers do not think much of it, but weaker believers could be stumbled into adopting a wrong values system.
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
As members of the Kingdom, we are not to abuse our rights and freedom: not a matter of eating and drinking, but to build up one another through the fruit of the Spirit: righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. This involves forsaking our rights to dress the way we want, to acquire provocative art pieces, or to appear branded and glamorous in public. In this way, we trade our rights in exchange for the Spirit of peace, joy and righteousness that is conducive for growth. Paul says this is the way believers should serve Christ and it is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore, we are not to insist on our freedom in Christ at the expense of mutual upbuilding and peace.
Application
1. Be consistent in the way you project yourself in private and in public. The lines that separate the private world and the public begins to blur and disappear. The things that you do in private shall be broadcasted, the places that you go, the websites that you visit shall be made known and they can be a cause for stumbling others.
2. Develop a sensitivity towards the feelings of others as to how some of our seemingly harmless behaviors may affect them. By taking time to ponder before we speak and being more observant of your surroundings will help. In so doing, we begin to shed off our rough edges and contribute to the growth of the community.
Dear Lord, help me to be sensitive to the feelings of others and walk with them in times of weakness. I consecrate myself to live according to Your ways and will choose to forsake my rights if it hinders the growth of another. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.