Romans 14 - Instructions for Peaceful Coexistence in the Church

“One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.” Rom 14:2-3

Among the challenges of the early church in which believing Jews and Gentiles met together to worship, was regarding meals and days. Imagine how a Jewish believer would react in meeting with a group of Gentile believers enjoying a meal of pork. How would a Jewish believer feel if the Gentile believers with which he fellowshipped were working on their houses on the Sabbath? How would a Gentile believer view Jewish believers who were “needlessly” following all these restrictive rules?

The believers (i.e. Gentiles) who enjoyed freedom in their meals and how they treated various days were instructed not to look down on those who do not enjoy the same freedom. V.3 They were instructed to understand that those who did not enjoy the same freedom had a motive in their heart to honor the Lord. V.6 They should limit their freedom in the presence of those who had a conscience about a disputable matter, always acting in love. V.13-15 When you boil it all down, the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking, it is about right living, peace between believers and joy in the Holy Spirit. V. 17 Anyone serving God in this way will please Him. V.17

The believers (i.e. Jews) who lived with dietary restrictions and considered some days as more sacred than others, were instructed not to judge those who enjoyed greater freedom. V.3-14 Judgment belongs to God and each believer is accountable to Him. V.10-12 A person will not be responsible on judgment day of giving account to God for the way another Christian lived.

Times have changed and many of the issues in this passage exist today between Gentile believers. The same principles apply. Whether its having a glass of wine or smoking a cigar, “whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” V.22 Love is the guiding principle!