Romans 14 - Capitol Commission
Subject to None yet Subject to All 2627 March 2012 RON J. BIGALKE, PASTOR/MISSIONARY, CAPITOL COMMISSION, 912.659.4212
Bible Study Title
Ron J. Bigalke , PhD / PO Box 244, Rincon, GA 31326‐0244 / www.capitolcom.org / [email protected]
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Monday, 26 March 2012, and, Tuesday, 27 March 2012 Romans 14 – “Subject to None yet Subject to All” In his lecture “On Christian Freedom,” Martin Luther asserted two propositions. The first proposition was with regard to spiritual liberty: “a Christian . . . is the most free lord of all, and subject to none.” The second proposition was with regard to servitude: “a Christian . . . is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.”1 Romans 13:8 and 1 Corinthians 9:19 affirm these two propositions as true. Romans 13:8 – Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. First Corinthians 9:19 – For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. “Now love is by its own nature dutiful and obedient to the beloved object. Thus even Christ, though Lord of all things, was yet made of a woman; made under the law; at once free and a servant; at once in the form of God and in the form of a servant.”2 In one sense, a Christian is “subject to none,” that is, no one (other than God) can exercise compulsion or jurisdiction with regard to matters of faith. Every believer is a servant of God, and accountable to Him alone. In another sense, a Christian is “subject to every one.” Romans 12:1—13:14 has taught us that believers are not redeemed merely for their own personal benefit. All Christians are gifted sovereignly by the Holy Spirit to minister to others. The reality of the Christian’s faith is evident by interaction with others, who constitute the church (12:3-8; 14:1—15:13), society (12:9-21), and government (13:1-14).
GRACE IS ESSENTIAL (14:1-12) Romans 14 addresses a potentially divisive problem. Some individuals were overtly rigorous with regard to certain matters of conduct whereas others were not. Our current passage for study reveals principles that will allow us to maintain peace with others. A graceful attitude was to be
manifested toward others (14:1-23), which is the example that Christ gave (15:1-13). The behavior of Christ provides principles to “behave properly” (cf. 13:13). The letter (epistle) of Romans concludes personally, with thankfulness and warnings to the church (15:14—16:27). The teaching with regard to living sacrificially is continued from Romans 14. God already revealed certain principles that apply to the transformed life. Those who believe/trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation were exhorted to present their bodies to God, to resist conformity to this world, and to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Obedience to these commands would be evident by a transformed life in one’s interactions with the church, society, and government. The truths that have been already taught in Romans 12—13 provide principles for daily behavior, and now Romans 14 applies those principles to a potentially divisive problem. We are told how to apply the principles of the transformed life as we interact with each other with regard to a specific problem. The kind of problem described in Romans 14 occurs frequently, and therefore, this section of Scripture will be profitable for our study. It is important for Christians to be unified in their witness for God, but they cannot do so if they are not unified in their daily lives. The Christian unity that the Bible demands requires liberality, as an evidence of love, and unity that exemplifies the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Unity is a direct consequence of liberty and love (cf. John 13:35). Romans 12—13
Romans 14
Principles of the Transformed Life
Principles Applied to a Specific Problem
The first four verses identify a specific problem: “passing judgment on” each other with regard to “opinions.” The opinions were with regard to disputable matters such as food (14:2) and the observance of sacred days (14:5). The simplest response of Scripture to such opinions is to stop judging one another (14:4): “Who are you to judge the servant of another?” Christians are servants of God, and accountable to Him alone. To one’s “own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand” (14:4). There are five principles communicated to us in the first half of Romans 14. Firstly, we are to “accept the one who is weak in faith.” The Greek word (proslambavnesqe / proslambanesqe) translated “accept” means “to receive” to one’s self, and therefore implies affection and friendship. Whereas it is easy to deny or isolate someone because they do not regard things like us, Scripture condemns such exclusivism toward a fellow believer. There is also a warning in verse 1. We are to “accept the one who is weak in
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(14:13-23) The second half of Romans 14 explains that Christians have liberty in Christ, yet emphasizes the limitations upon that freedom. There are three principles to consider prior to a particular course of action. The first principle is the primacy of love (14:13-15; cf. 1 Cor 8), which means that knowledge is not sufficient to govern actions with regard to Christian liberty. Each and every believer does not have equal knowledge; therefore, actions are not governed by knowledge but are to be “according to love” (14:15).
Secondly, we are to have a mutual respect toward one another (14:3-4). The discussion is addressed to the “weak in faith” and the strong in faith. The weaker believer who is more sensitive in his/her observations is not to judge those who are not. Both the weak and strong in faith are “not to regard” each other “with contempt” (14:3; cf. Luke 23:11). Christians are not to have behavior toward one another that is the same derisive attitude that unbelievers have toward spiritual things. “The Lord” is the Master, and it is to Him that each Christian will give an account for his/her actions (14:4).
The second principle is the necessity to “make for peace and the building up of one another” (14:19). “The kingdom of God” necessitates an emphasis upon the inner qualities of “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (14:17). An obsession with external matters is to confuse the nature of God’s kingdom (14:16-21). God is most certainly concerned with outward actions, yet He is more concerned with internal attitudes and qualities (cf. Mark 7). It would be inconceivable to “tear down the work of God for the sake of” personal rights (14:20).
Thirdly, personal convictions are not what are most important (14:5-6). What is important is that each believer is “fully convinced in his own mind.” Each believer should study the Scripture diligently to have his/her behavior conform to its teaching. When a Christian’s behavior conforms to the Bible, his/her convictions become personal ones. When this occurs, he/she “gives thanks to God” for the privilege of either abstaining or participating (14:6).
JUST IMAGINE HOW WONDERFUL FOR GOD’S GLORY TO BE FOREMOST (AND THE BENEFIT TO ALL CITIZENS) IF EVERY MEMBER OF THE CAPITOL COMMUNITY WOULD SEEK THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST FIRST, AS OPPOSED TO PARTISANSHIP, PERSONAL ADVANTAGE, OR POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY.
Fourthly, whether we abstain or participate in an activity, we must “live for the Lord” (14:7-8). “For not one of us lives for himself . . . for if we live, we live for the Lord.” Our behavior is not a matter of personal preference; it is a matter of submitting to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Just imagine how wonderful for God’s glory to be foremost (and the benefit to all citizens) if every member of the Capitol community would seek the lordship of Christ first, as opposed to partisanship, personal advantage, or political expediency. Fifthly, the lordship of Christ is something that every believer should consider solemnly. Verses 10-12 remind us, “each one of us will give an account of himself to God” (cf. 1 Cor 3:9-15; 2 Cor 5:10). The judgment will not be to determine salvation “for by grace [are we] saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8). The works of every believer will be judged, in addition to actions and motives. Christians are to live their lives with consideration that the Lord Jesus Christ will assess the worth of our service. Whatever we do in life, we must have clear direction from God. Certainly, we can understand the need for diligent Bible study. It is March Madness, and the NCAA Tournament is progressing toward the Final Four, and then eventually the championship game, after which only one team will be able to say, “we’re number one!” The greatest burden of the Lord Jesus for His followers was unity (oneness). When fellow saints are united based upon our common faith/trust in Jesus Christ, we provide a tangible, visible witness to the world (cf. John 17:20-26). Among believers in Jesus Christ, our chant should be, “we’re one!”
There are significant ramifications for the counsel and witness of the church both corporately and individually with regard to matters of Christian liberty. First, believers must not deny moral responsibility for one’s own sin by regarding something external as responsible. Second, weakness is never the accepted standard among believers (Rom 14; 1 Cor 7—8). The plain teaching of Scripture with regard to those actions that are commendable and those that are condemned should promote integrity and unity among believers as opposed to the emotional disagreements that are often manifested in contention and strife among one another (1 Cor 1:11; 3:1-3). The unity of Christians in doctrine and practice must be based upon the Word of truth (John 17:17; Eph 4:14-15). The third principle is the primary of faith (14:22-23). One must not condemn himself/herself by violating his/her conscience. “Whatever is not from faith is sin” (14:23). Our conscience is to be held captive to the Word of God. Scripture must always direct our activities and choices to determine what is appropriate for us. We see again the necessity for diligent Bible study to determine all manner of “life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3). Thank you for allowing Capitol Commission the honor to provide ongoing Bible studies to you. If you have any questions, please feel free to talk with me, or contact me by email or phone (912.659.4212). We are praying for you personally throughout the day and week (1 Tim 2:1-4). ENDNOTES 1 Martin Luther, First Principles of the Reformation, eds. Henry Wace and C. A. Buchheim (London: John Murray, 1883) 104. 2 Ibid. 104-05.
ABOUT CAPITOL COMMISSION Capitol Commission state directors are pastors/missionaries who teach weekly verse-byverse Bible studies for the entire Capitol community. State directors also meet personally with many government leaders to proclaim God’s grace in salvation, to encourage our leaders, pray with them, and provide biblical counsel. The mission of Capitol Commission is to reach Capitol communities for Christ—one person at a time, to disciple them, and to prepare them for a lifetime of ministry, wherever God chooses to place them. Capitol Commission is a charitable and religious nonprofit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Capitol Commission is supported by the generous gifts of businesses, churches, and individuals. Capitol Commission is not state-funded; rather, those with a heart for the Capitol community fund it. Please join us in this ministry!
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LIMITATION IS EMPHASIZED
faith” not for the purpose of argument or belittlement; rather, because the immature believer needs Christian fellowship.
