Romans 14 – Brandon Hatmaker “Disputable Matters”
Monday, June 9th, 2008
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.” – Romans 14:1
So which one’s faith is weak? The one who lives in the freedom they profess, or the one who denies himself certain liberties as an act of conviction or discipline? Scriptures have been used to support either side. It’s been debated for a long time. I think this is left open to interpretation for a reason. I believe it’s an intentional tension that requires discipline, discretion, and discernment on both sides.
The bottom line is, “disputable matters” exist. Many of us have a conviction on how faith should be lived out, how freedom should be lived out, and how discipline should be lived out. We have our own convictions that are based on scripture, our nurture, and our culture. I’m not talking about the unchanging truth of Scripture I’m talking about the disputable applications that shape how we choose to apply them. Although we are often convinced of our own convictions, we are not always right to press them on others. Verse 4 says, “To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”
Paul clearly reminds us that these are things that should not divide. Verse 19 and 20 say, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food”. We should press into knowing what God is saying, what the Spirit is convicting, and how we should respond with concern for others in mind. Live by what you believe. I guess you could say, “believe what you believe”. Be convinced. That way, no matter your actions, they are from faith and lived through the filter of loving God and loving others.
But don’t forget that others are living their faith unto God as well. Hopefully they are not trying to live our convictions before God, but instead, their convictions before God. Hopefully their convictions are based on sound doctrine (for their sake, and their listeners), but here in Romans 14, we are told it’s not necessarily ours to police. Verse 3 says, “The man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.”
Let’s not ignore the “therefore” of this verse. It’s the summary and the reason Paul engages this topic. It’s found in the closing verses:
“So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” – Romans 14:22-23
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