Slices
Prepare
Ask the Spirit to show you whether there’s anything – a moral issue, worship style or your own position – more important to you than the abundance promised in Romans 14:17,18.
Bible passage
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:
‘“As surely as I live,” says the Lord,
“Every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.”’
12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves 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 the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 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. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
Explore
Paul emphasises, in verse 14, that no food is unclean (see also Mark 7:14,15). Here he rules clearly with the strong. However, even though one side is right, attitudes on both sides are wrong. The weak must stop judging the strong, and the strong must stop treating them with contempt, for both will face God’s judgement (vs 10–12). Those changed attitudes must be expressed in ensuring that their actions do not harm their brothers or sisters in any way (v 13b).
But that isn’t the end of the matter. If someone regards something as unclean and is choosing not to eat it out of reverence for the Lord (vs 5b,6), then that must be respected (v 14b). Eating something that grieves your brother or sister in a shared meal is making the truth ugly. That’s so unloving that it risks driving the weak away from Christ (v 16).
Enjoying being right over something of no significance when it comes to saving faith risks losing out on really critical kingdom matters: enjoying the Spirit’s presence bringing righteousness, peace and joy into their midst as they gather (vs 17,18). Sacrificing the right to eat meat at church is surely worth it, if it means that together they can enjoy the Spirit’s abundance?
Respond
Lay down anything the Lord revealed to you that stops you knowing more of his abundance.
Deeper Bible study
‘Every knee will bow before me’ (v 11), says the Lord. Take a moment to worship Almighty God.
Here, Paul drills down further into how we live lovingly when consciences are in conflict. I remember once as a young Christian, out for a meal with friends, refusing to go into a pub restaurant to eat. My friends hunted for a less attractive option which wouldn’t offend my conscience! They were acting lovingly; Paul had no such qualms (v 14). Jesus himself affirmed that all foods are ‘clean’.1 Peter’s vision in Joppa taught him that all food was acceptable.2
Ignoring others’ scruples about how they live for God may bring offence and distress to some of our brothers and sisters in Christ (v 15). Likewise, insistence on others doing the fine detail of what we believe to be right may put a ‘stumbling-block’ (v 13) in their way. The hurt which we cause by our sense of ‘right’ can be unloving and destructive of faith (v 15).
How then should we live with fellow believers whose practices differ from our own? Paul takes us back to essentials of our faith: ‘righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit’ (v 17). This life is God-focused, Christ-centred and Spirit-filled. We serve a King, we are forgiven people for whom Christ died (v 15), the Holy Spirit lives within us – and the fruit of God’s life is seen as we serve Christ and others.3 The variety of practices that characterise our lives may be the result of conscience-driven choices made to honour Christ. We may have different opinions. But God is pleased by each person’s honest, heartfelt desire to serve him (vs 17,18). Loving our brother or sister in Christ may mean putting aside our own freedoms. If our faith is ‘strong’ there is no difficulty in being tolerant and respectful of others’ convictions.
Lord God, forgive me for ways in which I am contemptuous of others (v 10). Change me that I might live and love as you love me.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 21,22; 1 Corinthians 9
Pray for Scripture Union
Thank God for the faithfulness of our supporters, for their sacrificial giving over many years – particularly over the last year with the impact of the pandemic – and pray for God’s protection and blessing on them asking that their needs will be met in every way possible.
