How to Apply Romans 14?

[Thenolos]

Time for a friendly discussion.

How does the following scripture fit into the balanced Christian's view of false teaching and apostacy?

Romans 14:

7For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

9For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 11It is written:
" 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.' " 12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

Feel more than free to bring in other scriptures as well, but please focus mostly on how to apply this verse in a balanced fashion.

 

[GraceInHim]

" 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.' " 12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.


we are saved by believing Jesus died for our sins - resurrected - and is at the right hand of God

confess him as our Lord and savior

 

[California Tim]

How does the following scripture fit into the balanced Christian's view of false teaching and apostacy?

It doesn't. This passage is not written in that context. It is written in reference in how to interact with fellow BELIEVERS who may have varying degrees of strength of conviction. See the very first verse in the chapter:

Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, [but] not to doubtful disputations. Romans 14:1​

 

[Thenolos]

So.... If it's not referring to false teaching then does that mean that those who preach that Christians sin if they eat meat are not preaching falsehoods? You see lot of people condemning the more "legalistic" Christian's these days... and an awful lot of people judging those who don't have certain works or opinions. Where is the line drawn?

 

[California Tim]

So.... If it's not referring to false teaching then does that mean that those who preach that Christians sin if they eat meat are not preaching falsehoods? You see lot of people condemning the more "legalistic" Christian's these days... and an awful lot of people judging those who don't have certain works or opinions. Where is the line drawn?

Well according to the subsequent verses, the issue you raise as an example is not a "sin" to others in the faith who happen to disagree.

For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. (Romans 14:2-3)​

However, if one violates one's own conscience (you are fully convinced an action is a sin -yet CHOOSE to disobey) on the same matter, it can be sin.

He that regardeth the day, regardeth [it] unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard [it]. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. Romans 14:6​

.....or if we continue to openly offend or tempt a weaker brother to violate his conscience.....

But if thy brother be grieved with [thy] meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. (Romans 14:15)​

Because the essence of the message in Romans 14 is directed at the interactions between brothers and sisters in Christ on matters peripheral to salvation:

[It is] good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor [any thing] whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. (Romans 14:21)​

So as you can see, the entire chapter is not an instructional instrument on matters of apostasy, but of handling divisive issues that needlessly drive a wedge between believers (the Body of Christ).

 

[ArohaB]

verse 17 says for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

This particular chapter seems to be saying that it is not important what we believe to be "right" eg it says food, drink, sabbath day etc.. these sorts of issues that can be disputed over, but rather the important thing is that what we do we are doing in faith because we will also stand before the Lord and also if we are doing something that a weaker brother would label "evil", then don't dispute them but rather keep it from becoming a stumbling block for that brother/sister in Christ. We are not to defend our belief of doctrine to that weaker brother if it is evil to them, because then we are worshiping our belief rather than displaying the characteristics that show we have the Holy Spirit which are righteousness peace and joy.

 

[ArohaB]

sorry double post here!

 

[linssue55]

It doesn't. This passage is not written in that context. It is written in reference in how to interact with fellow BELIEVERS who may have varying degrees of strength of conviction. See the very first verse in the chapter:

Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, [but] not to doubtful disputations. Romans 14:1​

Agree