The Marks of Such as Believe in Christ Romans 14:14-23 Part 7

Do Not Cause Another to Stumble

In Romans 14:1-13 we looked at the Law of Liberty that genuine believers have in Christ. This Law is not license for licentiousness, but, rather, it is freedom to not be bound by ritual or religiosity while denying self in order to not cause strife and disunity in the body of Christ by practicing that liberty in a way that causes those with weak faith to have battles with their conscience. In this lesson we will finish Romans 14 in looking at vv14-23. This passage is actually a continuation of Paul’s teaching on this vital topic for the Church in our day.

“I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything isindeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:14-23 ESV)

In v14 Paul makes the statement, “I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.” This truth did not originate in Paul’s mind or intellect. It came from divine revelation. (cf. Galatians 1:12) What was the revelation? It was that nothing is unclean in and of itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it is unclean.” What does this mean?

“And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand:There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”” (Mark 7:14-15 ESV)

These words by our Lord Jesus tell us that eating pork or some other dietary law exclusion is not what makes a person unclean. However, if a person believes that eating pork is a sin then that warning will be heard loud and clear from their conscience. For them to eat pork would violate their conscience. This will cause them to experience guilt. This would be a negative for them because it may very well drive them into further legalism and away from freedom.

Paul them says, “For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.” The Greek word for “grieved” in this verse refers to causing pain or distress. Believers with weak faith may be hurt when they see another Christian exercising his or her freedom in a way that seems sinful within their standards. The stronger believer, in his or her freedom, may very well cause these weaker Christians to violate their own consciences. (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:8-13) However, it is imperative that the stronger believers, from a motivation of love (αγαπην) or (agape), take care not to put their weaker brethren into this position. From this motivation will flow sensitivity and understanding of the situation. This love is αγαπην which is often translated as “charity” or “charitable” in the KJV or Geneva Bibles. Remember, this form of love does what is best for the one loved, not necessarily what the one loved desires. In this case, the stronger believer sees that his or her actions, even though not sinful in themselves, could be harmful to the weaker believers. They understand the following principle, “By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.”

Their love for the brethren is cause for them to deny themselves in order to preserve the spiritual growth of the weaker brethren. They see that it is far more important to the Kingdom to not cause this strife in the body than it is to be “free.” They understand that is also important that the things they do in their freedom not be called evil, “So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.” That would be sinful as well. Therefore, self-denial will not only help the weaker believers in their struggles with their conscience, it will not give opportunity for that which is good to be called evil. On the other hand, if that does happen then legalism rears its ugly head in the body. On the other hand, if a stronger believer goes on in his or her freedom regardless of how it hurts the weaker believers, it can cause unbelievers to blaspheme when they perceive that our faith is filled with unloving people.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14:17-19 ESV)

The world sees Christianity as a set of rules tied to religious things and religious actions. However, the Kingdom of God is none of these things. Instead, it is the sphere of salvation where God rules in the hearts of those He has redeemed and saved. Religiosity, dietary rules, et cetera, are non-essentials because they are only external observances. Righteousness and peace are the products of holy, obedient living produced by the Holy Spirit. These things along with joy should mark believers both in their own lives and in their relationships with other believers. Genuine believers have an abiding attitude of praise and thanksgiving that are outside of circumstances. All of this comes supernaturally into genuine believers who have confidence in God’s Sovereignty. This attitude is also bears fruit in self-denial of freedom if that freedom can possibly cause weaker brethren to stumble.

“Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:20-23 ESV)

Paul repeats his exhortation for us in vv20-22, but then adds a phrase that we need to examine more closely. He says, “But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” This statement is another exhortation that tells us that it is a sin to violate ones conscience. That which does not proceed from faith here would be the thoughts and actions that our conscience condemns. Therefore, the act of violating the conscience here would be an act of rebellion, not an act of faith. That would be sin because any act that is not of faith is sin.