Notes on Romans 14

Just like many human families, the family of God is made up of people at varying stages of maturity.  That's partly because some people have been Christians longer than others, and partly because Christians mature at different rates, or not at all.  We should never approach other Christians with a critical spirit, criticizing them because they don't know as much about the faith as we think they should.  That is nothing more or less than spiritual pride; our basis of comparison should be with Christ, not with other believers, or nonbelievers for that matter.  That was the sin of the Pharisees.

We should also not criticize because others don't have the same degree of liberty in Christ that we do.  In Paul's day, the big issues for many Gentile Christians were eating meat offered to idols, and the observance of the same feast days as those practiced by the Jews.  Though some Christians may dispute whether it is healthier to eat a vegetarian diet or one with meat, that is not a matter of great controversy for us.  Further, the number of religious feasts we observe are generally limited to Christmas and Easter.  To be sure, some Christians may be troubled by the commercialization of both holidays, while others see nothing wrong with promoting Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny with their young children.  Another such issue is whether or not to allow our children to be involved in trick or treating at Halloween.

There are more substantial issues that divide Christians now, though, in the way of customs.  Fundamental churches, as a rule, insist that consuming alcoholic beverages in any amount is a sin, while more "mainstream" denominations teach that only drunkenness is prohibited.  Another area of controversy is the style of music used in worship services, particularly contemporary music versus traditional hymns.  Though some would insist that the style of music in itself is the issue, it seems to me that if the people involved are worshipping God in spirit and in truth, the type of music used is secondary.  I happen to think that traditional hymns are much to be preferred in church services, but I have been involved in churches that also used more "modern" songs.  The worship was no less sweet, and I didn't feel that God was not in the services.  I have also taken part in church services using hymns where there was no sense of the presence of God's Spirit.

When we are in Christ, it does not matter to God what denominational label we wear, or whether we worship him in the old time way or in a newer style.  It does matter whether we are truly worshipping him or not; if we're just going through the motions or just indulging in emotional excess, He is not in our worship.  He inhabits the praises of his people, not the forms of their worship.  May God grant us the grace to disagree on the details, so long as we all agree on the truths of the Gospel.

If we err as God's children, the judgment and consequences for our mistakes rest with Christ himself.  We will all give account to him, for both our successes and our failures.  If drinking alcoholic beverages in any forms is sin, then God's grace is sufficient.  If we use the wrong styles of music in worship, or sin in refusing to allow them, this does not constitute the unpardonable sin.  It is not up to me to judge my brother or sister for things they do, short of rebuking them for willful disobedience to God's commandments of love.  Even if my brother is a Charismatic or Pentecostal, so long as he names the name of Jesus as Savior, it is not my right to judge his beliefs about the gifts of the Spirit.  If he is wrong, then he will give account to God.  I can express my opinion about wrong doctrine, especially if a given group takes on the characteristics of a cult, but I can't pass judgment on the people involved -- the ideas and beliefs, yes, but not the people.

There is another issue here apart from the "rightness" or "wrongness" of particular actions.  We should not use our own liberty as an occasion of stumbling for those who are still bound by tradition and custom.  I do not drink liquor out of personal conviction, but if I did not see it as wrong, I still wouldn't indulge.  Others who think it is wrong for a Christian to drink, whether believers or not, may view my participation in "social drinking" as a bad witness.  Someone who views me as a more mature Christian may imitate me, even though the act to them is still wrong.  That was the issue in eating meat that had been offered to idols.  We have to hold ourselves to a higher standard than doing what is convenient; it's not just a matter of asking "What would Jesus do?", but of allowing the Holy Spirit to control our daily lives to the extent that asking the question is no longer necessary.  God is sovereign, and what matters is our obedience to him, and our reverence for him.  Everything else is window dressing.

We like to focus on the externals, those things we can see with our eyes, hear with our ears, or perceive with our other senses.  What we do that other men can see has to do with righteousness, and that is a vitally important part of our Christian lives.  It is possible, though, to do and say all the right things, so far as others can see, and still not please God.  Having peace means we have the right kind of relationship with him, and the inner contentment that comes as a result.  If we have no godly peace, we can have no righteousness.  We can have that peace because our faith in Christ is sufficient to fill the gap when our actions fall short of God's standards.  We have faith because God's love and favor are a part of who we are, born and strengthened in the ongoing relationship we have in Christ.  Joy is the outward expression of our peace, and is a way of responding to, and acting in, the world independent of circumstances.

If you are my brother, or sister, in the Lord, and I spend my time disputing your style of worship, or your personal habits, that will not meet the commandment that we should edify one another.  Satan's power, and his chief tactic, is to tear down and destroy; God's power is to create, and build up.  I have brethren, in my natural family and out, who attend a variety of churches and denominations.  I don't agree with all their beliefs, and I wouldn't want to be a part of their congregations.  Some don't attend church at all, and I certainly do not agree with that.  Nonetheless, if God's Spirit confirms to my spirit that they are his, I will not disown them or refuse to shake their hands.  Not all of those who profess the name of Christ are his, but I cannot and will not reject a brother or sister simply because they attend a church different in style and manner from my own.