In his letter to his beloved Roman churches the apostle Paul now addresses the law of liberties for Christians. In this section of his epistle Paul calls on believers to refrain from passing judgment on each other especially when dealing with disputable issues.
“1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2 One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.” (Romans 14:1-3)
Paul uses the Greek “astheneō” which means feeble or impotent to describe those with weak faith. Here the apostle calls on all Christians to abide by the law of Christ which is to love others as we love ourselves.
Also Paul points out the new covenant excludes commands that pertain to the food Christians should eat as long as it is eaten with thanksgiving. As such we should not judge other believers based on their culinary habits because we all those in Christ are children of God in spite of our nourishment choices.
“4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4)
Because God is the master of all those in Christ, it is up to him to judge others. Christians should concern ourselves with our own accountability rather than that of others.
“5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.” (Romans 14:5-6)
Here Paul mentions the old covenant which included many holy days whereas according to the new law of Christ, such special days are no longer part of the commitment between believers and God. The same applies for food and other rituals associated with the law of Moses.
“7 For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:7-8)
Through faith in Jesus christ believers have surrendered themselves to God therefore no Christian will die alone. All believers belong to the one and only master of the universe, God almighty.
“9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.” (Romans 14:9)
So prophecy might be fulfilled Christ was sent to live and die for the sins of man. Those in Christ accept Jesus as lord and savior thereby surrendering their lives to God, in turn through grace believers receive the gift of eternal life. Here the dead are those who
“10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” (Romans 14:10)
While Christians are called to rebuke one another in love, we are not to judge anyone, instead we are to leave judgment to the ultimate everlasting judge remembering God’s judgment is not based on His love for us, which is unconditional, but our love for Him. Through free will, ultimately we dictate our own destiny.
“11 It is written: ” ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’ ” (Romans 14:11)
Paul professes of the day of the second coming of Christ when all will bow to the father, the day when everyone will confess to the truth about Jesus Christ. Through the word of God and prophecy all men are warned of this day of reckoning, only those in Christ, those who surrender their lives to God will survive this day avoiding the lake of fire.
“12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.” (Romans 14:12-13)
Again Paul calls on believers to refrain from passing judgment on each other instead leaving judgment up to God. The apostle also invites Christians to help each other as we grow in Christ together according to the law of Christ.
Inviting Christians to place more importance on God’s kingdom rather than food on holy days the apostle Paul warns us of the day of judgment, one that will come for all men. Let us continue to walk the narrow path that leads to eternal life as we prepare ourselves for the second coming of Christ and judgment day. Let us pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Paul,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
