Romans 14:1-11
1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 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.” (ESV)
- The Dispute.
It was Christian against Christian division:
a. All involved were believers.
b. They believed and preached the true Gospel.
c. All seek to obey the Ten Commandments.
The problem was over a trivial matter concerning our daily living – not profound theological issues. - A Diverse Congregation.
Who were they?
a. Christians saved from idolatry.
b. Christians saved from stoicism or asceticism.
c. Christians who had an over-emphasis on keeping the Law.
d. Christians saved from Judaism.
We need to understand our fellow believers.
The key to the chapter is the lordship of our Lord Jesus Christ – we are not.
Christ is the only Way – not our little cultish narrow ways.
People must be invited to come from wherever they are to receive healing and hope.