The Romans Journey Pt. 14: Living in Unity

Romans 14:1-4 CSB - 1 Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but don't argue about disputed matters. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while one who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not judge one who does, because God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge another's household servant? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand, because the Lord is able to make him stand.

1. Levels of Faith & Relationship

Disputed matters - Paul is saying that there are things we will disagree about in church that should not lead to division.

Three Levels of belief by Michael Bird, Australian Theologian

• Level 1: Absolutes – (Highest Priority) Matters essential for Salvation

• Level 2: Convictions – (Important but not definitive) Matters that are important to the faith and the integrity of the church.

• Level 3: Opinions – (Least Authority) Matters of indifference

Romans 14:3 One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not judge one who does, because God has accepted him.

• Stop judging people like they answer to you and not God.

Titus 3:9-11 NLT - 9 Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. 10 If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. 11 For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.

2. Prioritize Unity over Uniformity

Romans 14:7-12 CSB - 7 For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and returned to life for this: that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God. 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

• Unity is greater than uniformity.

2Timothy 2:23-24 NLT - 23 Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.

Proverbs 20:3 CSB - 3 Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute, but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.

James 4:1 ESV - 1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

Romans 14:13-18 CSB - 13 Therefore, let us no longer judge one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. Still, to someone who considers a thing to be unclean, to that one it is unclean. 15 For if your brother or sister is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy, by what you eat, someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore, do not let your good be slandered, 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and receives human approval.

3. Prioritize your brother’s spiritual health over your freedom

Philippians 2:14-15 NLT - 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Romans 14:17 – for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 18:15-17 CSB - 15 "If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 "But if he won't listen, take one or two others with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. 17 "If he doesn't pay attention to them, tell the church. If he doesn't pay attention even to the church, let him be like a Gentile and a tax collector to you.