What do believers argue about? Do we focus on our own rights and opinions? In Romans 14, Paul helps us understand what’s worth fighting about. Hence, we should accept each other.
Key Passage: Romans 14.1–23
What do believers argue about? Do we focus on our own rights and opinions?
In Romans Chapter 14, Paul helps us understand what’s worth fighting about.
What’s At Stake?
The concerns addressed in Romans 14 aren’t about doctrine. What’s discussed are matters of opinion.
They’re issues where there’s no clear guidance in scripture because they’re matters of local custom or practice and thus, can change over time.
In simplest terms, believers are to be accepting of others regarding matters of practice.
Clearly, if it’s not a command, don’t make up a command! Why? Because we’re individually accountable to God, not to others.
Since we will answer to God, Romans 14.10-12, stop being so judgmental, Romans 14.13! Thus, we should accept each other.
Don’t be judgmental because you get back what you dish out! Matthew 7.1-2 paraphrase
Some Insights
We’re to replace our judgmental, and hypocritical, attitudes with care for, and attentiveness to, others, Romans 14.13.
Similarly, I must not push my rights to the point that I’m offensive to another believer, Romans 14.15.
Ultimately, what matters most are things like peace and joy, Romans 14.17, not all the incidentals we argue about.
Therefore, I must consider how my behavior impacts my testimony, Romans 14.18. Moreover, I must build up others, Romans 14.19.
The conclusion? Don’t destroy your ministry and your influence by taking an inflexible position on matters that are not clearly issues of doctrine, Romans 14.20.
Do you know it all? Well, do us a favor by keeping it to yourself! Romans 14.22 paraphrase
Instead, they are matters of free choice.
In fact, you should choose to limit your freedoms if your actions are offensive to others, Romans 14.13 and 14.21-22.
Actually, Christ makes the same argument in Mark 7.14-23.
What matters most is what’s inside me!
Apply These Precepts
The easiest way to bypass this teaching is to create commands where none exist.
Instead, I should be sensitive to how my beliefs and actions impact others. In short, we should accept each other.
“The Lord make His face shine upon you…” Numbers 6.22-27
Thanks for visiting. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me: larrydaleyoung@gmail.com