Read chapter 14
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+14&version=NIV
14:1–12 Rome was a cosmopolitan city, and the believers there came from differing backgrounds and cultures. Some practices of the Jews and the Gentiles were mutually unacceptable. Here Paul provided guidelines for believers’ actions where there had been no specific revelation. He called these believers from different backgrounds to mutual acceptance (14:1–12) and brotherly obligation (14:13–23). The issues are different for modern believers, but the principles are still applicable.
The “weak” (14:1) is the believer whose faith is not strong enough to enable him to perceive the full liberty he has in Christ to partake of all things. “We” (15:1) refers to the strong believer whose faith is mature enough to appreciate and apply his full liberty in Christ, while at the same time not demanding the exercise of this right. In Romans 14:11 Paul appealed to Isaiah 45:23 to support the fact that God would judge all men (cf. 1 Cor. 3:10–15; 2 Cor. 5:10). In Romans 14:13 Paul appealed for believers to do nothing that would cause a brother to fall spiritually or become ensnared by a temptation to sin. The kingdom of God (14:17) is focused not on outward but on inward realities.
Note the link between 14:3 and 14:10 concerning looking down on or showing contempt toward “weaker” Christians (cf. also 15:1, “please ourselves”). The focus is on the end (service to God), not the means. The “weak” here were for the most part Jews who still held to strict obedience to the Mosaic Law without understanding how it was fulfilled in Christ. The stronger believers should always seek to live with and encourage those who are weak in faith.
14:13-23 One way of supporting the weaker Christian is to remove activities or objects that might cause him to sin (14:13–23).
Discussion question
Some of us like to please everyone, which we know is impossible. Where do you draw the line?
Reflection question
On a scale of 1-10 rate your faith from weak to strong.
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Tuff Question. I stretch a little furthur on family & friends than work. Actullay just a feeling. If I feel uneasy or completely stressed I will get out of the situation. I have learned over the past several years to prioritize. One item is my bible readings. I set aside time each day, and stick to it. Work can wait. I guess I try to listen to my inner self.
ReplyDeleteThis is difficult. To me, we should try to get along with everyone as long as it does not lead to "un-Christian" behavior on our part. But I agree with Keith that I tend to go down the road further when it comes to family and friends. A lot of times with me, it depends on how tired I am as to what effort I give to please others. Also, in difficult situations, I try to spend more time in prayer so that God will give me direction and strength.
ReplyDeleteThe older I get the less I worry about pleasing everyone. I think it is important to do what we can to get along. Sometimes this requires negotiation. If I'm in a situation where I am being urged to do something which I feel is unethical or immoral, I will refuse to do it whether others are pleased or not.
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