GOD'S PRESSURE-VALVE FOR TENSE CHURCHES

Text:  Romans 14.

Purpose:  To show how Christians can disagree without being disagreeable, based on great gospel principles confessed by all.

Introduction

Perhaps many congregations suffer unnecessary problems over internal disagreements, in part, because God's "solution" is so often ignored or misunderstood. This lesson will study the fourteenth chapter of Romans closely, in an attempt to learn its chief principles which may be applied today as well.

Body

I. What Paul does not say, and what he does say.

   A. The chapter is almost "explained away" many times, so that it appears to have no relevance to real problems today. One error is putting words in Paul's mouth which are not there.

        1. Paul does not deal here with matters of indifference. The examples he uses were of great importance to his first readers. "Indifference" is largely in the eyes of the beholder. What is "indifference" to one is of great concern to another -- therefore problems arise! Do not dismiss the chapter as irrelevant to real problems today.

        2. Paul does not deal with mere opinion. He is dealing with matters of "faith," as defined in the chapter itself: i.e., matters of personal conviction and conscience (14:22,23). Do not limit its meaning to "mere opinions."

        3. Paul does not suggest compromise anywhere in this chapter -for either side of the dispute. Do not dismiss the chapter as suggesting such.

   B. What Paul does say here are certain gospel truths held in common by all Christians (even when they disagree on other matters), and, from these principles, he draws practical implications for living in peace when convictions and consciences differ.

   C. Although he illustrates his principles with "current issues" among the Roman saints, the same truths and implications are equally valid today, and they will serve the same good purpose now when Christians are willing to put them into practice.

II. Three great gospel truths and their practical implications.

   A. First truth and implication.

        1. Truth: Jesus is Lord (14:7-9).

        2. Implication: Therefore let each person act in good faith to please Him at all times (14:22, 23). No Christian should ever consciously act contrary to his understanding of Christ's will, even if his understanding later proves to be mistaken. If Jesus is Lord, each saint must always seek to please Him.

   B. Second truth and implication.

        1. Truth: Jesus will judge each person individually, and all will be included (14:10-12).

        2. Implication: Therefore do not pass judgment on your brother (for not holding all your scruples), and do not look down on him (for holding scruples which you do not). Each person stands or falls to His own master and judge (14:10, 13).

   C. Third truth and implication.

        1. Truth: Jesus will receive His own people, and He is able to make them stand by faith (14:17, 18).

        2. Implication: Therefore receive one another as Christ has received you, to the glory of God (14:1; 15:7).

III. A summary statement. What should Christians do when they all desire to serve Christ, but differ as to what pleases Him?

   A. Each must live according to his own informed con science -- and always act in good faith toward God.

   B. Each must live in view of coming judgment -- and leave all judgment to God.

   C. Each must receive his brother or sister as an individual on the basis of that one's reception by Christ -- based on faith in Him, to the glory of God.

Conclusion

God does not ask anyone to compromise what he believes to be right. He does ask each Christian to serve Him always in good conscience, allowing all other saints the same privilege. When believers do not share the same scruples, each is to be faithful to his own understanding, open to learn more from God's Word, and content to let God judge each on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ.

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