The Road to Salvation – We study Paul's letter to the Romans
Division
Some of the biggest differences we will ever find among people are among Christians. Just look at the large number of denominations. Even within denominations there is so much disagreement that it is completely understandable that the world is not really attracted by the gospel – it is not the message, but the image of its so-called supporters that is the problem. Here among us, two ministers get into an argument, and the next day there are two new churches in town. There is a snobbery and legalism within church ranks that are simply not in line with the true Christian character. This was probably already the case with the church in Rome. Paul addresses this in this chapter.
In chapter 12 and 13, Paul elaborated on love towards each other as believers, and also towards others, especially the authorities. In chapter 14 he writes how we as Christians should bear with each other despite differences, some of them trivial and others big, depending on how you feel about it. He also contrasts two poles of being a Christian, those who are weak in the faith (Romans 14:1-2) and those who are strong in the faith (Romans 15:1). Yet one is not better than the other.
A large part of the chapter deals with food and feast days and how first century Christians condemned each other on the basis of that. Why should food cause division? Paul warns us in the first verse not to judge those who are weak in the faith. What does it mean to be "weak in the faith"? Simply this: we are not all at the same place in our spiritual journey. We must remember that at one time we were also on that part of the journey where other believers are currently. Rather than judging them because they may not yet think like us, we should instead encourage them but without criticizing. The first century Christians were a mixture of Jews (the congregation in Rome was founded by converted Jews) and Gentiles who came to faith through not only Paul, but many others' preaching of the gospel. There were those who knew the law, and just as many who knew nothing of the law. All had to be accommodated under one structure, the church in Rome.
For the Jew, eating certain foods (or not eating them) and observing certain days were very important. See Acts 10:9-18 and 10:28. Because we no longer have to adhere to the legal prescriptions as described in the Law, for Paul, himself a Jew, it is no longer a case of obligation, but one of personal opinion. We can infer from Paul's comments that there was probably division in the church in Rome regarding food and feast days, and he now addresses this. It was also accepted practice that Mondays and Thursdays were fast days for the traditional Jews, and they therefore observed these two days. See Luke 12:18 as an example of someone who fasted twice a week. He would probably have fasted on a Monday and a Thursday.
The aspects that Paul addresses here were not only limited to the congregation in Rome. All the churches in different places had their origin mostly from both converted Jews and Gentiles. The churches in Galatia (Galatians 4:9-11) had the same problem as the church in Rome, which had the same problem as the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 8). In both camps, converted Jews and Gentiles, elements of the previous order would want to find their way into the new order. Jews would try to force the observance of strict legal principles on the church, while the pagans would try to keep pagan practices part of their new life in Christ. Paul had to accommodate and accompany both groups.
Do you eat everything or only vegetables? It is not at all about whether it is better or worse to eat only vegetables. Food alone adds no value to our faith, maybe just more kilograms. If you are a vegetarian, that's okay. If you get in under the different meat dishes, that's right. You just should not judge the other person based on what they eat or do not eat. God has adopted you.
Likewise, what the other person does has nothing to do with you. Paul uses the example of criticism you express about someone else's servant. What happens in someone else's house is his business, as long as it is not against the Word of God and harms other believers.
We criticise others about useless things. What does it matter if you like Monday and I like Thursday, or if someone else says all days are equal? You do what is right. The Romans and other cultures of the time attached great value to their feast days. For the first century Christians, many of whom came from pagan cultures, it was difficult to set aside all these feast days. It was the same with the Jews. They were used to strict adherence to the legal precepts. Some might adapt easily, while others would find it more difficult. Now it is no longer about the feast days, but your relationship with God.
Paul uses quite a few verses, from verse three to nine, to explain that we must respect different opinions. With all the differences between us, we are all reduced to one level one day: we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. See 1 Corinthians 3:13 and 2 Corinthians 5:10 where Paul shares the same thought with the church in Corinth. He bases it on Isaiah 45:23. Everyone will bow the knee and confess to God, whether he believed or not. Not even the greatest atheist can escape this day. Each of us is going to have to account for what we have done. Then rather try to do what you do for the expansion of the gospel.
The principle is this: let us not always criticise each other, but rather decide not to be a stone in someone else's way. Years ago, I was on a church council with someone who always talked about his "27 glorious years on the road with God". He was a beautiful person, perhaps already deceased and now with the Lord. However, there are just as many Christians who may not be on the path, but in the path of others who are on the path to eternal life. Paul mentions food again. Why is food so often the target? Probably because the new Christians who came from pagan backgrounds had to live together with Jews who had converted, and for whom food and the cleansing processes that go with it were very important.
Paul touches on a further aspect about food that he also discusses with the congregation in Corinth, that if you do not offend someone else by what you eat or drink. Please read 1 Corinthians 8:1-11. You eat what is set before you, unless you know it has been sacrificed to idols. Then you are free to turn it down. However, the thought is this, and it does not only apply to food: I must consider those with whom I share life as a believer so important that I will put my own interests aside in order not to be an obstacle for the other person not.
Rather than focusing on the differences between us, we should enjoy the breadth of God's plan for our lives. Just think how boring it would be if all of us were the same scary people. God made you unique, and unless what you do has a particular negative effect on someone else, you can do whatever you want. However, this must be done within the framework of Chapter 13 – maintain the water that has been established for the benefit of all. Food, drink, and feast days mean nothing, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit are what we should aim for (Romans 14:17).
Conclusion
Stop focusing on the differences and see the focus, Jesus Christ, who gave up a lot for the sake of us who are weak. We are almost done with Romans. Read Chapter 15 for next week.
Chapters
- Romans Chapter 1
- Romans Chapter 2
- Romans Chapter 3
- Romans Chapter 4
- Romans Chapter 5
- Romans Chapter 6
- Romans Chapter 7
- Romans Chapter 8
- Romans Chapter 9
- Romans Chapter 10
- Romans Chapter 11
- Romans Chapter 12
- Romans Chapter 13
- Romans Chapter 14
- Romans Chapter 15
- Romans Chapter 16