Romans 14:10-23 Why Did You Come To Christ?

Hi, welcome back. In our previous episode we discussed things that were of no consequence. In other words they were not sin, but rather beliefs and customs that were carried over from a believer’s previous religion.

They were beliefs like kosher versus non kosher and to drink or not to drink alcoholic beverages, etc. And Paul says we’re not to judge those who are weak in the faith. In other words those who still cling to those beliefs and customs. So today we’re going to pick up where we left off in chapter 14 with verse 10.

Romans 14:10 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;

This verse is a continuation of the divide between the weak and the strong in faith.

But when all is said and done and all has been done and said, we will come before that judgment seat. Then and only then will true judgment be administered. It is not ours to judge. It is enough for us to deal with the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit judges us without partiality or emotional input. It is a pure and righteous judgment.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

The judgment of Christ is a judgment of internal and external.

Externally he judges us on our service and the motives of that service. Was it self-serving or was it for the glory of the Lord? Internally he judges us on the motives of our hearts and minds. Did we really have a renewed mind or did our minds wander to lustful thoughts and other preoccupations? If your actions look good on the outside and your heart is not right with God, then everything you do outwardly is without merit.

Romans 14:11-12 for it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Accountability for your actions plays a significant role in the life of a Christian.

Whether we answer to God now or at that judgment seat, we will give a good and honest confession of all that we’ve done. Every knee shall bow and in humble submission we will be held accountable.

Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

With regards to these issues of no consequence we need to stop judging our brothers and sisters.

By passing judgment we also discourage others in their faith. We hinder them in their walk. Instead of looking for fault in others, we should lift them up and encourage them in their walk. We need to examine our motives for being judgmental. Is it a matter of pride that we might lift ourselves up while tearing someone else down? Is it because you have an issue with your brother and you look to find fault with him at every turn? Maybe your interpretation of God’s word has become twisted and maligned. We need to be honest with ourselves and confess whatever it is that has given us this judgmental heart.

Romans 14:14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.

If your conscience will not allow you to eat or drink certain things, then for you it is wrong.

For the Jew that has come to Christ it is hard to accept that everything is good to eat. By imposing on these individuals to eat what they truly believe is not acceptable to eat will leave them with an overpowering sense of guilt. In essence it will diminish their faith in Christ. 1st Timothy expounds on what is acceptable.

1 Timothy 4:4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

1 Timothy 4:5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

When we ask the Lord to bless and sanctify the food that we are going to eat and accept it with Thanksgiving it is made holy through the word of God and the prayers that we offer.

Romans 14:15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.

It’s just plain wrong for a Christian who is strong in his faith to sit down at a table and indulge in food that the weaker Christian believes is inappropriate for him or her to eat.

Why would you make your brother or sister feel uncomfortable at your table? When we welcome someone into our home we should make them feel at home.

Romans 14:16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.

If you’re strong in the faith don’t flaunt your freedom in Christ.

For those that are weak in the faith may have a different opinion. But if their opinion does not cause harm to their relationship with their lord and savior, then we need not have a better than thou attitude.

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

So as a believer you need to ask yourself why did you come to Christ in the first place?

Was it for food and drink or was it to have a proper relationship with Christ? Weak or strong if we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we have peace and joy no matter what our mindset is on these inconsequential matters.

1 Corinthians 8:8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.

Romans 14:18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Holy living is what is acceptable to God.

If we are serving Christ and doing what brings about peace and joy and righteousness then others will see Christ in us and will not only have God’s approval but the approval of other believers.

2 Corinthians 8:21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.

Romans 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

We should all strive to serve peaceably with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Within the body of believers there are going to be subtle differences. But those differences should not be made a stumbling block to your brother or sister in Christ. We should always encourage and lift up those who are in the faith.

Psalms 34:14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Romans 14:20-21 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

Paul just continues to drive home this message that we shouldn’t do anything that causes our brother or sister to stumble.

We should refrain from eating or drinking anything in front of them that might potentially weaken their faith. After all we are called to build up, encourage and edify those in the faith.

Matthew 15:11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.

In other words if you ain’t got nothing good to say, don’t say anything. Keep your opinions to yourself.

Romans 14:22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.

Romans 14:23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

If you have doubts and guilt concerning what you’re eating or drinking despite the fact that it’s not a sin, then for you it is sin.

If your conscience has you trapped in your old religious doctrine and customs then you are shackled to those beliefs. 

Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

As you mature in your faith and realize that those things have no power over you, then they are no longer sin.

We have reached the end of chapter 14. Next week we will  begin chapter 15. The first 13 versus continue to deal with things of moral indifference. Paul emphasizes the need for harmony and to do what is pleasing to our neighbors.

I’d like to thank you for listening and as always may you have a week full of opportunities to share this good news with someone that needs to hear it.