Living Out Our Convictions with Love and Integrity

 

Summary

In today's sermon, we delved into Romans chapter 14, focusing on the theme of personal convictions and how they relate to our Christian testimony. We began by exploring the differences in dietary practices between the Jews and Gentiles, highlighting how these differences should not lead to judgment but rather a deeper understanding and respect for one another's faith expressions. This discussion set the stage for a broader conversation on the importance of being fully convinced in one's own convictions while maintaining unity within the body of Christ.

We examined the concept of "Convinced in Your Convictions," emphasizing that our personal beliefs should be grounded in a clear understanding of Scripture and a personal relationship with God. This is crucial because our convictions influence our actions and interactions with others, particularly in areas that are not explicitly outlined as sin in the Bible. These might include personal choices about food, drink, or Sabbath observance, which can vary among believers.

The sermon also addressed the potential stumbling blocks our choices might present to others. We discussed how our freedom in Christ should not be an excuse to cause others to stumble but should be exercised with consideration and love for our fellow believers. This led to a discussion on the judgment seat of Christ, where we will all give an account of our lives, underscoring the eternal significance of our daily decisions and interactions.

We further explored how our testimony can be impacted by our choices, particularly in how we exercise our freedom. The principle of not letting our good be spoken of as evil was highlighted, reminding us that our actions should always glorify God and not cause confusion or stumbling for others.

Finally, we wrapped up with a call to action for all believers to live out their convictions with integrity and transparency, ensuring that their lives consistently reflect the gospel of Christ. This involves a continuous examination of our hearts and actions to align with God's will, promoting peace and edification within the church.

### Key Takeaways

1. Understanding Personal Convictions: It's essential to be fully convinced in our own minds about our personal convictions, ensuring they are based on Scripture and a personal relationship with God. This understanding helps us navigate areas of Christian liberty with wisdom and sensitivity. [10:13]

2. Impact of Choices on Testimony: Our choices, especially in disputable matters, should always consider the impact on our Christian testimony. We must exercise our freedom responsibly, ensuring it does not become a stumbling block to others, reflecting a life transformed by the gospel. [28:12]

3. Eternal Perspective on Actions: Every believer must remember that we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. This eternal perspective should guide our actions and interactions, emphasizing the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God and beneficial to others. [22:09]

4. Unity in Diversity: The church is marked by diversity, and this diversity extends to personal convictions about non-sinful matters. Embracing this diversity while maintaining unity is crucial, as it demonstrates the power of the gospel to transcend cultural and personal differences. [14:45]

5. Living Out Convictions with Integrity: Believers are called to live out their convictions with integrity, ensuring that their lives consistently reflect the truth of the gospel. This involves regular self-examination and a commitment to aligning one's life fully with God's will. [34:06]

### Youtube Chapters

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:28] - Introduction to Romans 14
- [02:59] - Discussing Personal Convictions
- [10:13] - Convinced in Your Convictions
- [14:45] - Testimony Over Taste Buds
- [22:09] - The Judgment Seat of Christ
- [28:12] - Impact of Personal Choices
- [34:06] - Living Out Our Convictions

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 14:1-23
2. 1 Corinthians 6:12
3. 1 Corinthians 10:29-31

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the main differences in dietary practices between the Jews and Gentiles as discussed in Romans 14? ([02:59])
2. According to Romans 14:5, what must each person be fully convinced of in their own mind? ([10:13])
3. How does Paul describe the judgment seat of Christ in Romans 14:10-12? ([22:09])
4. What does Paul mean when he says, "Do not destroy with your choice of food that person for whom Christ died"? ([34:06])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of being fully convinced in one's own mind about personal convictions? How does this relate to our understanding of Scripture and our relationship with God? ([10:13])
2. How can our personal choices become stumbling blocks for others, and what does this imply about our responsibility towards fellow believers? ([28:12])
3. What does it mean to live with an eternal perspective on our actions, especially in light of the judgment seat of Christ? ([22:09])
4. How does the principle of "unity in diversity" apply to the church, and why is it important for maintaining harmony among believers? ([14:45])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal convictions. Are they based on a clear understanding of Scripture and your relationship with God? How can you ensure that your convictions are biblically grounded? ([10:13])
2. Think of a time when your personal choice might have caused someone else to stumble. How can you be more considerate of others in your future decisions? ([28:12])
3. How does the knowledge that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ influence your daily actions and interactions with others? ([22:09])
4. In what ways can you promote unity within your church, especially when there are differing personal convictions among members? ([14:45])
5. How can you live out your convictions with integrity and transparency, ensuring that your life consistently reflects the gospel of Christ? ([34:06])
6. Identify one area in your life where you need to exercise more self-control to avoid being a stumbling block to others. What practical steps can you take to address this? ([15:56])
7. How can you actively contribute to the peace and edification of your church community, especially in areas of personal preference and conviction? ([46:24])

Devotional

Day 1: Grounding Convictions in Scripture and Relationship
Understanding our personal convictions requires a deep engagement with Scripture and a vibrant relationship with God. It's not merely about adopting beliefs because they are traditionally held or culturally endorsed, but about being fully convinced in our own minds that our convictions are rooted in the truth of God's Word and our personal walk with Him. This process involves prayerful study of the Bible, seeking God's guidance, and reflecting on how the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the scriptures. Our convictions should not be static but should grow and mature as we deepen our understanding and relationship with God. This foundational approach ensures that our beliefs are not only personal but also scripturally sound, providing a firm basis for living out our faith in a complex world. [10:13]

James 1:22-25 ESV
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

Reflection: How does your current understanding of Scripture shape your personal convictions, and how can you deepen this understanding to better reflect God's will in your life?

Day 2: Choices Reflecting Testimony
Our daily choices, particularly in areas of Christian liberty, should be made with an acute awareness of their impact on our testimony. As believers, we are called to exercise our freedom in Christ responsibly, ensuring that our actions do not cause others to stumble but rather encourage and build up the faith of others. This responsibility extends beyond personal piety to how our choices influence the perceptions and spiritual health of those around us. By considering how our actions might be interpreted or affect others, we strive to let our lives consistently testify to the transformative power of the gospel. This approach not only honors God but also serves as a beacon of His grace in our communities. [28:12]

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 ESV
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved."

Reflection: Consider a recent decision involving Christian liberty. How did you ensure it reflected well on your Christian testimony and did not cause others to stumble?

Day 3: Living with an Eternal Perspective
Every action and decision we make as followers of Christ should be influenced by the knowledge that we will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ. This eternal perspective helps us to weigh our choices and interactions more seriously, fostering a lifestyle that seeks to please God and advance His kingdom. By living with this perspective, we prioritize what is eternally significant over what is temporarily satisfying, guiding us to invest in relationships, endeavors, and practices that have lasting value and reflect God's truth and love. [22:09]

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 ESV
"So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to adopt a more eternal perspective, and how can you begin to make changes in this area today?

Day 4: Embracing Unity in Diversity
The church is a mosaic of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and personal convictions, especially concerning non-sinful matters. Embracing this diversity while maintaining unity is not just a lofty ideal but a practical expression of the gospel's power to unite us in Christ. This unity in diversity requires humility, patience, and a commitment to peace and mutual edification. It challenges us to look beyond our preferences and see the value in differing perspectives, fostering a community that reflects the inclusive and reconciling nature of God's kingdom. [14:45]

Ephesians 4:2-3 ESV
"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: How can you contribute to fostering unity in your church or community group, especially among members with different convictions from your own?

Day 5: Integrity in Living Out Convictions
As believers, we are called to live out our convictions with integrity, ensuring that our lives consistently reflect the truth of the gospel. This commitment involves regular self-examination and a willingness to align our actions with God's will, even when it requires sacrifice or goes against the grain of popular culture. Living out our convictions with transparency and consistency not only strengthens our witness but also deepens our own faith, as we see the power of the gospel at work in every aspect of our lives. [34:06]

Titus 2:7-8 ESV
"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us."

Reflection: What is one conviction you hold that you find challenging to live out consistently, and what steps can you take to strengthen your commitment to this conviction?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "God's will is that none shall perish, but that all should come to repentance. Let not the choice of your food be the reason that someone dies. Do not destroy with your choice of food that person for whom Christ died." [49:02]( | | )

2. "Just because you can do everything doesn't mean that you should. Just because you can go get a tattoo, doesn't mean that you should. Just because you can have a beer at your home, doesn't necessarily mean that you should. Just because you can, doesn't mean that everything is beneficial. Everything is going to have a consequence." [14:45]( | | )

3. "Bring him your mess. Bring him your nasties. Bring him your chaos. He loves you. He died for you. Give it all back to him." [53:23]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For the one who serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by other people. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." [46:24]( | | )

2. "Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day observes it for the Lord and the one who eats does so with regard to the Lord for he give thanks to God and the one who does not eat it is for the Lord that he does not eat and he gives thanks to God for not one of us lives for himself and not one dies for himself for if we live we live for the Lord or if we die we die for the Lord therefore whether we live or die we are the Lord's." [04:28]( | | )

3. "We are ambassadors of Christ and we're in the ministry of reconciliation. Our duty as Christians is to share the gospel and to, just like Jesus came on earth, observe faith, on a rescue mission for us and brought us in. So should we go out to the world so that we may tell them about Jesus to bring them in also." [47:11]( | | )

4. "It's not about food. It's not about whether you want to eat steak or not. It's not about whether you want to drink a beer or not. It's about whether when you do those things, will you prevent somebody from understanding the goodness of the salvation of Jesus Christ?" [15:56]( | | )

5. "We should not be using our convictions as a stumbling block to others. If you think and you believe and you've done what you've needed to do to get peace from God that you're okay in doing something, that's great, then do it but don't do it if it's going to turn someone away from Jesus." [31:54]( | | )

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Transcript
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