11/20/2011
· The final test of an act, as to whether or not it is proper for an individual, is can the act be done in faith. Do we believe it is right.
· If we don't have confidence that it is right, then we should not do it.
· Above all, if another is convicted that something is not proper to do, DON'T tell them that it is all right for them to do it just because you consider it to be right.
· For if that person does it when he is in doubt, then to him it is sin. For whatever any of us do, it has to be done by faith, not of doubt.
· If one does something that is against their conscience, even though that thing may not be wrong for others, it is wrong for them.
· Some people see everything just black and white. We need greater skill in the discernment of shadings.
· So whatever we do or don't do, we should be personally convicted that it is the will of the Lord to do it or not to do it.
· Encourage a Christian brother or sister to ask the Lord what He would have them to do.
· This must be the final test. Does my Lord approve of this and do I have the assurance of that approval?
1. CEASING CRITICISM (ROMANS 14:13-15)
13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this — not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
But here is a caution he gives to those who had not that clearness in this matter which he had: To him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, though it be his error, yet to him it is unclean. This particular case, thus determined, gives a general rule, That he who does a thing which he verily believes to be unlawful, however the thing be in itself, to him it is a sin. This arises from that unchangeable law of our creation, which is, that our wills, in all their choices, motions, and directions, should follow the dictates of our understandings. This is the order of nature, which order is broken if the understanding (though misguided) tell us that such a thing is a sin, and yet we will do it. This is a will to do evil; for, if it appears to us to be sin, there is the same pravity and corruption of the will in the doing of it as if really it were a sin; and therefore we ought not to do it.
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
NASB
Bear his infirmities. One man said, "There is much of human nature in the mule, but more of the mule in human nature." The best man I ever knew had some infirmities, and I can see some of mine with my eyes shut, and I believe better with them shut than with them open. We all have infirmities in some direction or another,
We should seek to please him rather than to please ourselves. We are not to sacrifice a principle, but if we can please him without sacrificing a principle, rather than please ourselves, why not do it? Let us make him feel good if we can. This is the duty to the individual Christian.
(B. H. Carroll-An Interpretation of the English Bible Vol. 14)
2. PURSUING PRIORITIES (ROMANS 14:16-18)
16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;
It is indeed their sin who do speak evil of that which is good for the sake of any such circumstantial errors, but it is our folly if we give any occasion to do so.
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
NASB
3. HELPING OTHERS GROW (ROMANS 14:19-21)
19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.
NASB
4. KEEPING QUIET (ROMANS 14:22-23)
22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
In these indifferent things, though we must never contradict our persuasion, yet we may sometimes conceal it, when the avowing of it will do more hurt than good.
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
NASB
The "whatsoever" of verse 23 is neither absolute nor universal in its application. It is limited, first, to the specified things or their kind; and second, to believers, having no reference to outsiders making no profession of faith.
(B. H. Carroll-An Interpretation of the English Bible Vol. 14)
Here is the sum of our duty towards our brethren.
(1.) We must study mutual peace. Many wish for peace, and talk loudly for it, that do not follow the things that make for peace, but the contrary. Liberty in things indifferent, condescension to those that are weak and tender, zeal in the great things of God wherein we are all agreed; these are things that make for peace. Meekness, humility, self-denial, and love, and the springs of peace, the things that make for our peace. WE are not always so happy as to obtain peace; there are so many that delight in war: but the God of peace will accept us if we follow after the things that make for peace, that is, if we do our endeavour.
(2.) We must study mutual edification. The former makes way for this. We cannot edify one another, while we are quarrelling and contending. There are many ways by which we might edify one another, if we did but seriously mind it; by good counsel, reproof, instruction, example, building up not only ourselves, but one another, in our most holy faith. We are God's building, God's temple, and have need to be edified; and therefore must study to promote the spiritual growth one of another. None so strong but they may be edified; none so weak but may edify; and, while we edify others, we benefit ourselves
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
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