Romans 14 - Weak Faith vs Strong Faith

The Christians in Rome couldn’t agree whether they should be obeying the Jewish laws.  Paul told them in Romans 3 that the law could not make people righteous and that the purpose of the law was to show people that everyone sins.  No one can become righteous by their own efforts.  Only Christ, by His death, can people be righteous.

God didn’t give the law so people could obey lots of rules.  He wanted them to trust Him completely and have faith in Him.  Paul wanted the Christians in Rome to love each other without arguing about rules.  He knew some had little faith so he asked those with stronger faith to encourage them.

In Romans 14 Paul tells Christians to accept those whose faith is weak without passing judgment on disputable matters.  He uses the illustrations of whether to eat meat or not and whether to consider 1 day more sacred than another.  We should be careful not to restrict our thinking to these examples.  They are only examples.

 The Christians who though it necessary to obey certain food laws were considered “weak in faith”, because they had not yet discovered the meaning of Christian freedom.  “Weak in faith” doesn’t mean the person doesn’t trust in Jesus as Savior or that he is confused about the gospel.  If he is a Christian, God has accepted him.  Paul is saying that a Christian should not pass judgment on one who thinks differently about matters that the Bible speaks nothing about.  Those matters are non-essential and don’t determine whether a person is save or not.  We shouldn’t jump to conclusions that a person who does these things is not saved.

Those “stronger in faith” are those who have the freedom that God’s Holy Spirits gives.  Paul was among the “strong” Christians but was careful about how he used this freedom.  He chose to obey the Jewish law so he wouldn’t offend the Jewish people.  He didn’t want to use his freedom that might cause another Christian to sin.

1^st Example:

The first example Paul gives is whether a Christian should eat meat or be a vegetarian.  In the Old Testament the Jewish people had dietary restrictions.  They could not eat unclean animals.  Paul describes them as being regarded as weak in faith by those who eat meat.  He warns about attitudes.  These believers called “weak in faith” do not answer to anyone but God.  We are not to be their judge.  If they are believers, God has accepted them. 

2^nd Example:

The second example is the observance of certain days making them special and holy or treating them all alike.  Again the problem was attitude.  Paul says to let everyone do what he feels is right.  If the Bible doesn’t specifically speak on matters, we have the responsibly settle these matters for ourselves.  He also says we should give thanks to God in all matters.

Christ died for all and we must not be judgmental about the conduct of others.  God is the judge and everyone will stand before Him and be judged on their own merits.  Believers will not be judged for sins, because Jesus already atoned for them.  We will however, have to give an accounting for our words and deeds.  So stop blaming and worrying about the behaviors of others.  Don’t you have enough to be concerned about for yourself?

Where are you judging others on matters that the Bible does not give specific commands?

Believers must stop passing judgment on one another.  Paul is talking to the weak believer as well as the strong believer.  The weaker believer can only abstain from what he thinks is wrong, so the stronger believer should take into consideration the beliefs of the weaker so as to not cause him to be confused and stumble in his faith.  The stronger has a responsibility to the weaker and can abstain or not abstain.  The stronger and the weaker believer, both are to do what is pleasing to God.

Principle:  We must stop passing judgment on matters that the Bible does not give specific commands.

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.” – Rom. 14:19.  Paul tells us that no food is unclean because nothing God created is unclean, but it’s better to not eat or drink or do anything that will cause someone to stumble.  Whatever you believe about these types of things is between you and God.

Paul concludes that Christians should keep what you believe to yourself and God.  Believers must do everything possible to make others stronger in their faith.  Believers must not do anything that may cause another believer to sin.  They should obey their own conscience and always act in faith.

How might you be causing someone to stumble?

Principle:  Believers are to make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.

Next time we will study Romans 15.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  Hope to see you here again.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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