Viewpoints on ROMANS 14

By Michael Griego on November 22, 2024 • ( 0 )

ROMANS chapter 14 is about being civil with others who have habits, practices, or opinions that are different from yours. Don’t judge, be respectful, full of grace. How’s that going? ◊

My wife and I learned a long time ago in a Bible study that we shouldn’t be a “stumbling block” to other Christians. This actually comes from Romans 14.

… make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister…. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. (Romans 14:13,15,17,18)

We’ve applied this principle throughout our marriage whenever we entertain Christians or non-Christians in our home or go out to dinner together. If we know that a person or couple does not drink alcohol, we will not have a glass of wine or order any alcohol ourselves. If we don’t know, then we won’t drink or we’ll simply ask them to select a drink of choice.

Our focus was on being sensitive to those where drinking may be a “stumbling block.” Better for us to abstain than to make it an uncomfortable issue for them.

Paul’s Advice
This was a very big deal back in the Apostle Paul’s day when he wrote this long Letter to the Romans, specifically the Christian community in Rome around AD 57.

As the first early Christians were Jewish, they were accustomed to eating certain foods and worshiping on certain days in alignment with Jewish practices. Early non-Jewish Christians, i.e., converted Gentile Christians, did not have these issues that were tied to past religious practices.

This led to new disputes and debates about worshiping Jesus/God on the Sabbath or now on Sunday, the day of His resurrection. Or on eating kosher or non-kosher foods.

(Or voting Republican or Democrat or Independent!)

Paul’s teaching was for Christians to take the high road. Don’t fight about it. Don’t judge others for their legacy influences on all these items which are now secondary to faith in Christ.

As God accepts us from our sullied past and welcomes us into the Kingdom upon our profession of faith in His Son, Jesus, as His atoning gift of grace and mercy, so we should extend grace and kindness to those who may have variations of perspectives on secondary issues like eating, drinking, and worship days (or voting).

If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. (Romans 14:15-18)

Like a Respectful Coach or Teacher
While we should be prepared to defend our beliefs and faith in the hope that is in Christ the Lord, we should be sensitive to our audience, particularly new Christians.

Be kind and grace-filled. Cut them some slack.

Be a good leader and model.

In some ways, in my experience, it’s like coaching and guiding young ballplayers, or developing and mentoring young salespeople and sales leaders. Don’t immediately stifle people by shutting down little quirks and tendencies.

Rather, model good processes, techniques, mechanics, practices, and behaviors. Teach and counsel rather than argue or pick apart. We’ve all had to grow from a standing start in anything we do of substance. Better are the mentors and guiding teachers who kindly, but clearly and respectfully, lead the way to growth and maturity.

How are you doing with that?

Are you practicing kindness, grace, and respect in your dealings with other Christians? How about non-Christians?
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Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. – Romans 14:19