The Law of Love – Romans 14

Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #131.  Today we’ll read Romans chapter 14 together:  We’ll look at the Law of Liberty; the Law of Love; and not causing our brothers and sisters to stumble.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

Welcome

Mitch is back to work.  Oh, you didn’t know he was furloughed four months ago?  Yeah…about that.  We only told a few people.  It was a definite shock…and emotional considering he is a 30-year employee.  But I wasn’t kidding a few days ago when I thanked God for working even when we can’t see.  As a matter of fact, I’m sharing this circumstance with you now as a testament to His goodness.  Looking back, Mitch and I agree that this was the best thing to have happened.  

Mitch realized almost immediately that this time was a gift and he wasn’t going to waste a moment of it.  And he lived up to his commitment.  You know already that Mitch painted the inside and the outside of our home!   Project after project was checked off his list.  And God provided.  Money to live.  Money to do projects.  Money to invest.  Money to tithe.  We are still shaking our heads in amazement.  He gave us an extra measure of patience too, while we learned how to be together all the time.  We laughed that we were practicing for retirement.  The whole experience gave us new perspective, new attitudes, increased faith.  We are so full of gratitude that, through God’s grace, we not only survived, but thrived.  

Do you have a story that started out bad but turned out to be a blessing?  I would love to hear it.  Please share your praises at Lifting Her Voice.com.  

Romans Chapter 14

The Law of Liberty

Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about disputed matters. One person believes he may eat anything, while one who is weak eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not judge one who does, because God has accepted him. Who are you to judge another’s household servant? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand, because the Lord is able to make him stand.

One person judges one day to be more important than another day. Someone else judges every day to be the same. Let each one be fully convinced in his own mind. Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honor of the Lord. Whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; and whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat it, and he gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord.

Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and returned to life for this: that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living. But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,

As I live, says the Lord,

every knee will bow to me,

and every tongue will give praise to God.

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

The Law of Love

Therefore, let us no longer judge one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. Still, to someone who considers a thing to be unclean, to that one it is unclean. For if your brother or sister is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy, by what you eat, someone for whom Christ died. Therefore, do not let your good be slandered, for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Whoever serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and receives human approval.

So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. Do not tear down God’s work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong to make someone fall by what he eats. It is a good thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble. Whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith, and everything that is not from faith is sin.

Closing Thoughts

Again, this is another passage that will make more sense after you’ve read the Law in the Old Testament next year.  You’ve probably heard of dietary restrictions that Jews need to abide by – no pork, no hooved creatures, can’t eat bugs.  These things were considered unclean, primarily because they were associated with pagan rituals of the time.  But as we learned from Peter’s experience with Cornelius and his family and the vision he had where God told him not to call ‘Unclean’ what He had made clean.  That included Gentiles.  And Christ made Gentiles clean through His death and resurrection.  But what Paul is saying here is that peace with everyone – love – is the most important thing.  We have total liberty under Christ to eat and drink whatever we want.  H-o-w-e-v-e-r. 

Some folks aren’t there yet.  Whether it be a dietary restriction or something else, we are not to argue over disputable matters.  We are never to cause our brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble.  If their faith is strengthened by these self-imposed habits, then we are to act respectfully around each other.  If I go to a friend’s home who doesn’t eat meat, well vegetables it is!  If I’m around someone who believes women are to wear dresses, i.e., are not to dress like men, I’ll wear a skirt!  If a brother or sister believe it’s inappropriate to dance, well, I guess I’ll sit that one out.  It doesn’t matter!  The relationship matters.  The God-honoring love for each other matters.  Because that’s what He did for us.  Let’s pray. 

Prayer

Wow, Father, it seems I’m a lot more passionate about this subject that I thought.  Thank You, God, that You taught us how to love.  By Your words and by the gift of Your Son.  Please help us to see that some of the things we argue about in the Christian community are nonsense.  Help us to be like You, Lord.  Give us Your eyes to see past the things we disagree about and to see each other in the light of Your perfect love.  Amen.

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.