Unity in Christ: Navigating Personal Convictions Together

 

Summary

In Romans 14, Paul addresses the issue of how Christians should handle matters of personal conviction, particularly those that are not explicitly commanded or forbidden in Scripture. The focus is on the tension between those who feel free to eat all foods and those who abstain due to their weaker faith. Paul warns against the dangers of both despising and judging one another, emphasizing that God has accepted both groups. This acceptance by God should guide our interactions, preventing us from imposing additional rules that go beyond Scripture and lead to legalism.

Legalism, as discussed, is the tendency to elevate non-essential practices to a level of spiritual necessity, which can lead to division and judgment within the church. This is a denial of the doctrine of justification by faith, as it implies that certain works or behaviors are necessary for salvation. Paul argues that such attitudes are not only divisive but also contrary to the gospel's core message.

The sermon highlights the importance of understanding the difference between essential doctrines and matters of personal conviction. While discipline is necessary for flagrant sin, the emphasis should be on love, charity, and unity. The church should strive to include rather than exclude, recognizing that God’s acceptance is the ultimate standard. Paul’s approach is not contradictory but rather contextually sensitive, accommodating weaker believers without compromising the gospel's core truths.

The principle of avoiding offense is crucial. Paul exemplifies this by accommodating Jewish customs when necessary to prevent misunderstanding and promote unity, without compromising the gospel. This approach is vital for maintaining peace and spreading the gospel effectively. The sermon concludes with a call for self-examination and a reminder of the grace that covers all believers, urging the church to practice love and unity in light of these principles.

Key Takeaways:

- Unity in Diversity: Christians are called to accept one another despite differences in personal convictions, especially in matters not explicitly addressed by Scripture. This acceptance mirrors God's acceptance of us, emphasizing unity over uniformity. [05:38]

- Avoiding Legalism: Elevating non-essential practices to a level of spiritual necessity leads to legalism, which contradicts the doctrine of justification by faith. Legalism divides the church and detracts from the gospel's core message. [02:33]

- Principle of Non-Offense: Paul’s approach to accommodating weaker believers without compromising the gospel highlights the importance of avoiding unnecessary offense. This principle is crucial for maintaining peace and promoting the gospel. [28:05]

- Self-Examination and Grace: Believers are encouraged to examine themselves and rely on God's grace, recognizing that all are saved by grace through faith. This understanding fosters humility and compassion within the church. [41:38]

- Scriptural Tests of Faith: The true test of a believer is faith in Christ and a life consistent with that profession. External practices should not be the basis for judging one's faith, as God’s acceptance is the ultimate standard. [32:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Romans 14
- [00:47] - The Issue of Indifferent Matters
- [01:15] - Strong vs. Weak in Faith
- [02:16] - The Danger of Legalism
- [03:30] - Modern Examples of Legalism
- [05:06] - God's Acceptance as the Standard
- [06:44] - The Risk of Manmade Rules
- [09:01] - The Spirit of the Pharisee
- [11:05] - Church Unity and Division
- [13:32] - Communion and Exclusion
- [17:44] - Ridiculous Regulations
- [19:17] - The Spirit of Love and Charity
- [22:38] - Paul's Consistent Principle
- [28:05] - Avoiding Offense
- [32:42] - Tests of Faith and Acceptance

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 14:1-4
2. Galatians 4:8-11
3. Acts 15:19-21

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific issue does Paul address in Romans 14:1-4, and how does he suggest believers handle it? [00:10]

2. According to the sermon, what are the dangers associated with both the stronger and weaker brothers in faith? [01:47]

3. How does the sermon describe legalism, and what impact does it have on the doctrine of justification by faith? [02:33]

4. What example from the sermon illustrates the absurdity of manmade rules within the church? [08:22]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Paul's approach in Romans 14 differ from his approach in Galatians 4, and what principle underlies these differences? [22:53]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that legalism contradicts the core message of the gospel? [02:33]

3. How does the principle of avoiding offense, as discussed in the sermon, apply to maintaining peace and unity within the church? [28:05]

4. What does the sermon suggest is the true test of a believer's faith, and how should this influence our acceptance of others? [32:42]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you judged someone based on non-essential practices. How can you shift your focus to God's acceptance as the ultimate standard? [05:38]

2. Consider a situation where you might have imposed your personal convictions on others. How can you practice love and unity instead of legalism? [02:33]

3. How can you apply the principle of avoiding offense in your interactions with fellow believers, especially those with different convictions? [28:05]

4. In what ways can you engage in self-examination to ensure that your actions align with the grace and acceptance God extends to all believers? [41:38]

5. Identify a personal conviction that might be causing division in your relationships. How can you approach this issue with humility and compassion? [19:17]

6. Think of a person in your church community who holds different convictions than you. What steps can you take to foster unity and understanding with them this week? [11:05]

7. How can you ensure that your faith is based on the core message of the gospel rather than external practices or traditions? [32:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Unity in Diversity
Christians are called to embrace unity amidst diversity, especially in matters of personal conviction that are not explicitly addressed by Scripture. This unity is a reflection of God's acceptance of each believer, emphasizing the importance of accepting one another despite differences. By focusing on unity over uniformity, believers can foster a community that mirrors the inclusive love of God. This approach prevents division and promotes a harmonious church environment, where love and acceptance are prioritized over judgment and exclusion. [05:38]

Romans 15:5-7 (ESV): "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."

Reflection: Think of a fellow believer whose personal convictions differ from yours. How can you show them acceptance and love this week, reflecting God's acceptance of both of you?


Day 2: Avoiding Legalism
Legalism arises when non-essential practices are elevated to a level of spiritual necessity, leading to division and judgment within the church. This contradicts the doctrine of justification by faith, as it implies that certain works or behaviors are necessary for salvation. By focusing on the core message of the gospel, believers can avoid the pitfalls of legalism and maintain the unity of the church. It is crucial to remember that God's acceptance is not based on external practices but on faith in Christ. [02:33]

Galatians 5:1-2 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you."

Reflection: Identify a non-essential practice you have elevated in your spiritual life. How can you refocus on the core message of the gospel and embrace the freedom Christ offers?


Day 3: Principle of Non-Offense
Paul's approach to accommodating weaker believers without compromising the gospel highlights the importance of avoiding unnecessary offense. By being sensitive to the convictions of others, believers can maintain peace and promote unity within the church. This principle is vital for spreading the gospel effectively, as it prevents misunderstandings and fosters a spirit of love and acceptance. By prioritizing the well-being of others, believers can create an environment where the gospel can flourish. [28:05]

1 Corinthians 10:32-33 (ESV): "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 situation where your actions might cause offense to a fellow believer. How can you adjust your behavior to promote peace and unity without compromising your faith?


Day 4: Self-Examination and Grace
Believers are encouraged to examine themselves and rely on God's grace, recognizing that all are saved by grace through faith. This understanding fosters humility and compassion within the church, as it reminds believers of their shared dependence on God's mercy. By focusing on self-examination and grace, believers can cultivate a spirit of humility and love, which strengthens the unity of the church and reflects the heart of the gospel. [41:38]

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"

Reflection: Take a moment to examine your heart and actions. How can you rely more on God's grace and extend that grace to others in your community?


Day 5: Scriptural Tests of Faith
The true test of a believer is faith in Christ and a life consistent with that profession. External practices should not be the basis for judging one's faith, as God's acceptance is the ultimate standard. By focusing on faith and a life that reflects that faith, believers can avoid the pitfalls of judgment and division. This approach encourages a community where faith is the foundation, and love and acceptance are the guiding principles. [32:42]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: Reflect on how your faith is demonstrated in your daily life. What changes can you make to ensure your actions align with your profession of faith?

Quotes



Legalism, in the end, of course, becomes guilty of denying the great doctrine of justification by faith only because if you say that what makes a man a Christian is that he doesn't drink or he doesn't smoke or he doesn't eat meats and so on, well then you are saying that a man is justified by works and not by faith. [00:02:39]

There is always the danger, the tendency indeed, in some people in the Christian church to go beyond the Lord himself and to invent rules and regulations and tests which cannot be justified by the scripture. Now, this is, as I say, a most important matter because people make themselves and make others oftentimes very unhappy by doing this kind of thing. [00:06:00]

The Pharisees were always challenging our Lord about things like this. He'd healed a man on a Sunday. They said you shouldn't do that; that's a work. Or when the disciples were picking out grains of corn, you remember, passing through a cornfield on the Sunday, they objected to that and so on. He saw that it was the spirit of the Pharisee, that it was legalism, and so he got his liberty. [00:09:00]

The whole emphasis of the scripture is upon the spirit that our object should not be to exclude people but to invite them and to rejoice in their coming, and everything is to be done in a spirit of love and in a spirit of charity. Now, this is the Apostle's way of dealing with it here. [00:19:17]

The Christian must do everything he can to avoid giving offense. This seems to have been the teaching of the early church. Here were these Jews; they'd become Christians, yes, but as we've already seen, they were not clear about these things, and the Apostle says we mustn't offend them. [00:28:05]

If a man professes this faith, if a man says, I see that I am a sinner, that I am completely hopeless, that my works are useless, I rely only on the fact that the Son of God has died for me and for my sins, I have nothing else to rely upon at all, if a man makes that confession, God has received him. [00:32:42]

We are all sinners, and we are all guilty before thee. We bless thy name that it is thy grace that covers us. We see how we condemn ourselves in condemning others, and we know that we are all saved by grace, that there is none righteous, no, not one, and that we are all equally saved by grace through faith. [00:41:38]

Let us be careful that we do not refuse people whom God has received. Now, don't forget the principle. There are certain things that are absolute. There's no discussion about them. We're not dealing with them. We are dealing with things that are indifferent, and the danger we've got to avoid at all costs is that we put manmade regulations into a central position. [00:40:17]

The Apostle Paul was guilty of contradicting himself in connection with these very matters. Now, here, you see, he seems to say, and we shall see it more clearly as we go on, he seems to say that these matters are indifferent. That's his whole argument, and he appeals for charity. [00:20:02]

The Apostle argues, can any man forbid water that he should not be baptized? And then he's more or less taken to task for this. So you find in Acts 11:17, he says here to the people at Jerusalem, for as much then as God gave them the like gift as he did to us who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, what was I that I could withstand God? [00:38:40]

The Apostle shows that there is a danger in connection with both those attitudes. The danger of the stronger brother is to despise the weaker brother, but the danger of the weaker brother is to judge the stronger brother. Sometimes the weaker brother judges the stronger brother even to the extent of suggesting that he can't be a Christian. [00:01:39]

The Apostle is saying here to the weaker brother, don't you refuse to receive that man. Don't you judge that man. Don't you say that that man is not a Christian because he eats meat. God has received him, and if God has received him, you've got to receive him. [00:38:40]

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