Romans I have made a commentary of sorts with my thoughts on the Bible Romans Chapter 14 Quick take: Brain smashingly amazing Written December 7, 2006 through December 14, 2006 Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 December 7, 2006 Romans 14:1 Paul continues his campaign for unity and living at peace with everyone. In chapter 14 and 15 he addresses the issues of Christians having different standards of righteousness. I have not caught this phrase before, “disputable matters” but growing up I definitely saw plenty of disputes. If one were to see bickering Christians they might think that Christianity is micromanaging one’s life down to great detail. The dispute, however, would confirm that no one knew what was right. This verse comforts those observers because it shows Christianity is not a hard to understand micromanagement plan for you life, but that the two disputing Christians, are wrong to dispute, or rather, they are wrong to not accept each other. Romans 14:2-3 One disputable matter is eating meat verses eating only vegetables. It is interesting that we can see that eating only vegetables as a display of faith, is weaker than eating everything. Even though we can see that is a weaker faith, Paul doesn’t admonish everyone to eat meat, later in verse 5, he admonishes everyone to have the diet they feel glorifies God the most. However, with this diversity of believes within the Church, the important thing to remember is to not judge on this matter. Romans 14:4 Judgment of a servant is reserved for the master. We have no right to judge God’s people, when it comes to disputable matters. And I believe a disputable matter is something not clearly talked about in the Bible. December 8, 2006 Romans 14:5-6 Another disputable matter is observing special days verses treating everyday alike. This is something that shouldn’t cause conflict among believers. One man is convicted by God to treat everyday like the holy day, and for him, it would be wrong not too. But, since God never clearly commanded His people to regard everyday the same, that man cannot look down on someone who regards some days as special days. Everyone should do everything as unto the Lord. That is what it is all about. Romans 14:7-8 No man is an island. We are interconnected and should be living for the Lord. Even in death we should do it unto the Lord. December 9, 2006 Romans 14:9 Looking down on or judging another Christian insults Christ who humbled Himself to become like a man, walk this earth, live a perfect life, die for our sins, and rise from the dead. And thus, conquer death on our behalf. He is our King, and He alone has the authority to judge mankind. December 12, 2006 Romans 14:10-12 Christ conquered during life, and during death, and thus earned Himself the right to judge. Everyone else is far from meeting that standard and thus has no authority to cast judgment. It is laughable really that we can get so puffed up to think we can help God out by corralling His people. It is so easy to tear each other down instead of build others up. We must remember that we will give an account of all of our actions, and this should keep us too busy to worry about how others are doing. December 13, 2006 Romans 14:13 The sin is not eating or abstaining, the sin is going against one’s convictions and causing someone to go against their convictions. Helping our brothers and sisters should be a higher priority than our own desires. Romans 14:14 The food isn’t the issue. This verse hints to there being a relative righteousness, where each person is influenced by God as to what is right for himself. One beer might be sinful for a recovering alcoholic, but not for someone who can stop at one. Romans 14:15-16 Don’t let food, or any disputable matter, do any harm. Our brother’s righteousness should be more important than food. Verse 16 seems to be a balancing verse. We don’t have to give up everything, but to be careful not to destroy anyone. Romans 14:17-18 Don’t make a big deal about small things. Make a big deal about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Pushing one towards righteousness is what pleases God, not pushing one to drink, or not drink. December 14, 2006 Romans 14:19 Paul spends so much time on having unity within the body of believers. What am I currently doing to edify and bring peace? Is there more I can do? Romans 14:20-21 When Paul puts it so simply, a heated argument about eating or not eating loses all importance. Don’t destroy God’s work over little things. God is working towards unity and we are dividing over eating or not, dancing or not, drinking or not, beats or no beats. Work towards the unity of the Bride of Christ, not the close adherence to our set of rules. Romans 14:22 I think there is some grounds to abstaining from whatever causes our brother to stumble when he is around, but enjoying it when he is not around. The way people admire and look up to other people makes it very important to be very careful not to approve of things that lead others to stumble. Movies we quote, things we say, experiences we re-live… Romans 14:23 Thus, if you are riding the fence on an issues, you had best error on the safe side, because it is impossible to please God without faith. What does it mean “everything that does not come from faith is sin”? Does that mean brushing my teeth without faith is sin? Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16