Romans Chapter 14

This chapter presents a strong plea for grace and understanding among believers in matters of conduct not specifically dealt with in the Word of God. Grace believers are not to draw up a list of do’s and don’ts based on personal opinion and impose them on fellow believers. Backgrounds, customs, etc. exert great influence upon our thinking and conduct, but these are not to take the place of the Word of God. It is our pride nature at work to judge others in matters not spelled out in the Scriptures.

Vs. 1-2…Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. [2] For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.” 

“Him that is weak in the faith”…The issue being discussed here in context is the matter of how a grace believer is to conduct his/her life based on all the doctrinal information Paul has given them in the foregoing thirteen chapters of Romans. He is distinguishing between the believer who knows and understands the foundational grace doctrines and is “stablished” and the grace believer who does not. “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.”  (Rom. 10:2) “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”  (I Cor. 14:20) To be “weak” is to not have proper knowledge of what God is doing in the dispensation of grace and what He desires for us to be doing.

Since this assembly at Rome included both Jews and Gentiles, it is easy to see why they would be inclined to be arguing over Diet and Days. Our upbringing and culture have a powerful effect on how we live our lives and the choices we make on a daily basis. Paul is teaching them how to make wise decisions as grace believers that please the Lord and are in harmony with grace IN MATTERS WHERE THE WORD OF GOD IS SILENT. Arguing over issues where the Word of God is silent is what he defines as “doubtful disputations”.  There are two key ingredients in how we as grace believers make a decision in matters where the Word of God is silent: 1.Knowledge of your identity in Christ  2. Charity.

Paul addresses this same question in I Cor. chapter 8…Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. [2] And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. [3] But if any man love God, the same is known of him. [4] As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. [5] For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) [6] But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. [7] Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. [8] But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. [9] But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

“receive ye”…Do not stone them, cut them off or reject from the assembly. However, there were times to reject people as well (Tim. 3:10, 1Cor 5:5, 16:22 ; Gal 1:8, 5:12; Rom 16:17) Paul disputed when it was not doubtful (Acts 15:2, 15:7, Acts 17:17, 19:8-9) Both are taught by Paul.

“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”…The issue here is you never want someone to believe something or do something because you want them to do it or not to do it; it should always be because sound doctrine is working in them. Another way of saying that is the motivating basis of your choices is important to God. Either you trust the Word of God or you are going along to get along. Both the “stronger” (Rom. 15:1) and “weaker” believer should be comfortable with that instruction. Our threats, coercions or preferences imposed on others is no substitute for the grace of God working in them. It is the Spirit of God taking the Word of God to do the work of God in the hearts of the people of God.

These verses have led some to conclude that doctrines of our faith are of secondary importance and should not be defended or debated as the peace and unity of the assembly might be disrupted. Nothing could be further from the truth. Love, peace and good will are virtues that PEOPLE admire most in us but they are not the virtues that matter most to God. We are in a war; therefore…Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. [11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; [15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: [18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; [19] And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Eph. 6:10-20)

It is "through faith" that we are saved in the first place and it is through faith that our character and conduct is to be molded. 

Paul taught the mystery program not the law program. (Rom 6:14, Col 2:16) Under the law program the weak broke it; the strong obeyed it – Rom 8:3… For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Gal 4:9-10… But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? [10] Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

Vs. 10-12… But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
[12] So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

There is a wonderful nugget found in verses 10 - 12 that should not be overlooked as we focus on the liberty believer’s have in this dispensation of grace. These verses tell us that all believers shall appear before the judgment seat of Christ; and then we are told that every tongue shall confess to God and give an account to God. So which One are we going to being dealing with? The correct answer is Jesus because Jesus is God.

This is an appointment that you will not be late for or cancel out on. So, what is the purpose of the judgment seat of Christ and what is it for if our sins have already been judged and forgive? Will sin be dealt with at the judgment seat of Christ? Yes! Rom. 14:23 presents a problem about the subject of sin if not carefully thought about scripturally… And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Is it possible for a believer to sin? Yes! Has the sin been paid for and forgiven by the work of Christ on the Cross? Yes! Do you ever sin? Yes! Then how is Jesus going to deal with it? At death or the Judgment Seat…there it will be burnt up and removed forever.

The key issue at the Judgment Seat is whether we allowed the Word of God to dwell in us richly…Rather than majoring on judging our brothers in Christ, it should sober us up to remember that each one of us will give an account of himself to God---not just our doctrinal beliefs. Let this fact draw you to the Word of God not be afraid of the Word of God.

The details of the process or the actual event (not the test questions) of the Judgment Seat of Christ are found in I Cor. 3 and II Cor. 5:

I Cor. 3: 8… Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. There is some work going on here and that is what is going to be evaluated. “planting and watering” is referring to the effort we make in getting the Word of God rightly divided out. So what is the standard by which we will be evaluated? vs. 11… According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder…

another buildeth thereon…Grace believers are set apart to carry out this work which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them…But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. There is going to be a day when the “building inspector” will inspect what we did as far as edifying our own selves and then in others.

Vs. 13… Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. This is the planting and watering that will be evaluated. The fire will reveal it (Jer. 23:23). Not how much you have done, but the quality of your work. Pure grace is never supported by large numbers of people, so don’t get discouraged. People ask about how many people attend your church and make that the determining factor on are you pleasing God or whether you have the blessing of God on your ministry.

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? Every grace believer is called to this GREAT COMMISSION.

So what is actually going to be judged at the Judgment Seat?  Is there something we can do in the here and now to insure that we will have the gold, silver and precious stones at the Judgment Seat? Yes! Phil. 1:10-11… That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; [11] Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Gal. 5:22-23… But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. So who or what is producing a product in and through you that insures that the grace doctrine that we know is not just head knowledge. What insures that it is not just theory but reality? Col. 3:16… Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. The word “let” is the battleground isn’t it. You can have the truth of God in your head, but letting it dwell in you richly in your inner man (Eph. 3:16) determines if the right works coming out of us is gold, silver, precious stones.

Gal. 2:20… I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. The question is “who is doing the work”? When the Word of God rightly divided is in us and coming out of us properly it is gold, silver, precious stones. If it is “I” working for Christ, that is religion (hay, wood, stubble); If it is “but Christ” that is what Jesus is looking for. Whose life is on display to the world? You or Jesus? The issue is the “inner man”.