Bible Studies

The Principle of Interpersonal Conduct

by Henry Jaegers
02/27/25
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Studies in the Book of Romans

By Henry Jaegers

Chapter 14

Reasonable Service:

The Principle of Interpersonal Conduct

 In considering these verses, it appears that Paul is addressing an area that needs clarification as to their responsibility toward each other, as they are "the Body of Christ." This is a further application of the meaning of "what it means to be a Christian." As a whole, they are part of the body, but now Paul further elaborates on recognizing the importance of accepting diversity. A subject first addressed in Chapter 12, as it refers to the various functions of the body that each one possesses.

  Accepting those who are different (Verses 1 through 3)

   He who is weak in the faith, receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations, for one believes that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eats herbs. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats: for God has received him. "

 When we first became believers, we all came into the Body with various backgrounds and had our individual struggles with the affairs of our old life. This, we all have in common. As we face the situation personally, we must agree that we do not need to be criticized by others. It is the worst kind of treatment to judge other Christians by our particular backgrounds. So first, Paul addresses those who consider themselves mature in the faith and must consider that God does not see us that way. So, accepting those who are different does not mean we cannot learn from them. Paul is addressing the need for humility. We may consider him weak in the faith because he does not see things the way we do.

 So, we must consider that he is a brother, sharing the same Lord, and we are told to receive him without casting judgment upon him because he is not like us. Those of us who tend to be a little high-minded because of the privilege that God has granted us, if we see him develop in his faith, must be aware that we do not present to him that he is somewhat inferior to us. Receive him without question. After all, if we recall, at one time, we were like him. Here is a practical way of applying the Golden Rule: "As you would that men should do to you, do thou likewise?

 Often, when a person becomes a Christian, he becomes aware of all the things that once influenced him. And because his understanding is limited, he sees the world in a different framework. He desires to be rid of everything that was once part of his life. Sometimes, his point of reference to what "The World" is becomes larger than those who understand that not everything in the world is evil. He begins to form convictions about many things as being wrong. As he grows in understanding, some things that he thought were important begin to change with maturity.

 I recall, in my earlier years before I was married, I had a lot of convictions about the girl that I would marry. My friends jokingly said, "We don't need to have convictions.Hank has enough for all of us."" And, of course, that changed with time. Therefore, we must not forget that sometimes Christians become easily offended due to the lack of experience in the Christian life. We must remember that all of us at some time needed other Christians to accept us with all our differences, realizing that we needed to grow. We must be careful in this growing process to be patient and discipline ourselves in what we allow ourselves to do, lest our liberties discourage others and hinder their faith journey. I think this is what Paul is cautioning us about in these words.

  The Caution Against Pte-mature Judgment of others. (Verses 4 through 6))

  Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he who does not regard the day, to the Lord he does not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

 Paul cautions us about a common issue in our relationships with other Christians. It's a tendency that requires patience to overcome: judging others based on our own convictions. It's unfair and dishonest to assume that everyone should respond to situations as we do. When we judge others, we reach conclusions without having all the facts. Remember, they're not accountable to us but to God.

 We are all accountable to God in how we conduct our lives. The way we see and understand is different for a reason. This diversity can be seen in the matter of 'Spiritual Gifts.' God has not created us as puppets, and if we see Him that way, we are cheating ourselves out of the blessing of discovering new things that God desires to teach us. This diversity is an incentive to think more lovingly of those who are different, as their unique gifts contribute to the richness of our spiritual community.

 It appears that this caution may be more relevant to a new Christian who has not yet been aware of 'the blessing of diversity.' It is important to understand that in order to experience harmony in the church, we must learn to accept and appreciate each other, despite our differences. The most important lesson to learn from this is that we are all accountable to God for what He calls us to do. Before judging another's commitment to God, we must examine our hearts and actions and be certain that we are being faithful in how He has equipped us.

 What our Response to the Call of God Means. (Verses 7 through 9)

  For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For whether we live, we live to the Lord; and whether we die, we die to the Lord: whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. To this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

 Before us is a reaffirmation of what it means to be a Christian: the call of God is a call of total abandonment. It is a life of faith, committing all that we are and have into the hands of God, trusting that He will continue to develop what He has begun to do in us; He does not tell us what happens next in our faith journey. It may be a long life of continued service or a shortened life through death through persecution. We are no longer our own to do as we please. Everything that we are and have is His.

 In recalling those three would-be followers when called to follow Jesus, the first was enamored by the crowds and the miracles who delighted in the excitement of the moment and quickly faced the seriousness of the matter when Jesus said, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." The thought of restless days and sleepless nights caused him to change his mind.

 Then, another wanted to follow Jesus, but he wanted to do it in his own time. "Let's wait until my father dies," (and we don't know how long that would be, for his father was yet very much alive). Jesus said, "Let those not interested in the kingdom of God take care of these matters." The kingdom of God requires immediate action, and he decided to change his mind, or he was not willing to leave. Finally, there was the third man. He did not realize that Jesus was not looking for volunteers. He requested that he return home and say goodbye to his friends. Perhaps, thinking it was just for a short time, he would return home to join his friends again. But he also changed his mind when he heard Jesus say, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.' He uses the example of the farmer plowing his field and looking back to see how he was doing, instead of keeping his eyes focused on finishing the job.

  Reflection

 Sometimes we find ourselves in similar situations where we hesitate to fully commit to a new path or calling. It's natural to have reservations or attachments to our current way of life.

 - Like the three men in the story, we may have excuses or delays in embracing change or following a different direction. However, the message remains clear that the kingdom of God, or any significant endeavor, requires our wholehearted dedication and immediate action.

 - Commitment

 Just as Jesus emphasized the importance of not looking back when plowing the field, we are reminded to stay focused on our goals and commitments without being distracted by past attachments or hesitations.

  It's a call to be fully present in the moment and to move forward with determination, leaving behind any doubts or hesitations that may hinder our progress towards our spiritual or personal growth.

 These three examples give us an idea of the cost of following Jesus. We are no longer our own. We have been purchased at a greater cost by the Son of God, and our lives are no longer our own.

 This call is not to a select few who have been selected for special service. It is a call to all who have been purchased by the blood of Jesus, and our commitment to Him is not out of obligation but of joyful surrender. Consider Paul's words: "Ye are not your own; ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your bodies and in your spirit, which are God's." "

 The call of Jesus is a call of total commitment and abandonment to His purposes, intended for Hiss glory.

 The Ultimate Standard for Judgement (Verses 10 through12)

   But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, "As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

 Is it possible that we are unaware that all of us equally will have to give an account of our lives before the Lord? It is bad enough that we see fit to disregard the value of another based on outward appearances. And we have a little dishonesty before us if we think we are free of any corruption. We may pretend to conform to some outward form acceptable to our society. The biggest sin of which we are most guilty is the sin of selfishness that looks upon others based on how we think ourselves to be. When others praise us because we do such and such, we are honored by what we want them to think, and then our hypocrisy becomes in full bloom in the presence of God.

 Perhaps a good dose of seeing ourselves as God sees us will teach us something about humility. Someday, we will stand before the throne and discover the truth as God sees us. But there is good news. There is time for us to take care of these matters, and when we do, harmony will then take place. Don't wait until that day. We may be disappointed when it comes to discovering it is too late. We have done things we ought not to and left undone those we ought to have done. "Today is the Day of Salvation. Tomorrow never comes.

 Being Careful about our Liberties (Verses 13 through 16)

  Let us not, therefore, judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.  I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy food, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy food, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of.

 How serious a matter is it that we might indiscriminately destroy the conscience of another Christian? We may pride ourselves on having arrived so far in our Christian life that it does not matter what others think. All that matters is that I have the assurance of my own salvation, and what others think is of no concern. But there is another thing to consider: we have a responsibility for the development of others in the body of Christ. We are part of a larger body and must pay attention to how what we allow ourselves to do affects others. When we take the attitude that the welfare of others does not matter as long as I am secure, we are not walking in love. Love is always absent when self is on the throne of our life.

I want to remind us of something that I mentioned previously. Paul had what I think is a perfect standard for how I conduct my Christian life. First, I must avoid all things that hinder my personal progress. Second, I must restrict myself from those things that will hinder the growth of another Christian. Finally, I must avoid all things that will eventually make me its slave. I think that this standard helps us to more clearly understand these verses and what it means to be a Christian.

  Clarifying what is Important (Verses  17 through 20)

  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drinking, but of righteousness, drinking, and joy in the Holy Ghost.   For he that in these things serveth Christ is pleasing to God and approved of men.  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offense.

 There is an important matter here. I am familiar with people who limit their testimony to the things that they no longer do. They think that the Christian life consists of what they have stopped doing. And we find the church filled with many of these. The kingdom of God takes place within the heart and is a living power that allows righteousness and truth to prevail. Giving up some things does not indicate that what you have done or no longer do produces holiness from within.

 I know of people who have done evil as Christians, and they think that being busy in the church excuses the evil of the past. They are content to let busyness in service replace repentance, which leads to true righteousness. They are self-deceived. But it may be just another form of "dead works." The proof of real change is what takes place when no one else is around to see. But God is not interested in performing the works of the flesh. What is important to God is the inward change that produces true righteousness. True righteousness is displayed by righteousness, peace, and joy produced by the Holy Spirit. Remember Paul’s word to the Romans and Galatians that those in the flesh cannot please God. We must be careful not to convey, especially to young Christians, that Christian life is not restricted to what we no longer do. By conveying this to them, we may be depriving them of discovering what true joy and righteousness is.

 The closing words reaffirm what was previously said: We must beware of allowing our liberties to result in the fall and destruction of another brother in Christ.

 Liberties that Need Restraint. (Verses 21 through 25)

 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

 As I considered these verses, I was reminded of an illustration that conveys this truth.

 In the Old Testament, wine was a drink that was common to all. On many occasions, wine was used in a positive way. It was part of some of the offerings prescribed by God. It comes from a natural process. Sometimes it is used in times of rejoicing, and at other times, it is used to bring cheer to a sorrowful heart. Misusing it is what is sinful. Wine, like any other thing, can be abused by overindulgence. It has the capacity to destroy and cause men to act wickedly. But wine itself is not evil. Jesus Himself did a great thing when He turned the water into wine at His first Miracle. (To insist that it was grape juice would destroy the significance of this miracle.

 There are some Christians who have no conscience that drinking wine is evil. But there is something greater to consider here. Not all people have the discipline to control the influence that wine has. They may think that because you are a Christian, and they see you doing such, it is all right for them to do so. But they had no self-control, and by your example, it became something that they could not stop. Perhaps this matter of drinking wine is just one example among many, but one that may be the easiest to illustrate. If done in the quietness of the home and has become a family tradition, that may be a different matter.

 My viewpoint is that even though I could do so with a clear conscience, it would be extremely selfish if I did not exercise discernment in the things that might cause another to lose confidence in me. When the verse says that whatsoever is not of Faith is sin. As I think about it, sometimes it takes a greater faith to restrain myself from doing what I inwardly desire to do. I need to pray for deliverance from selfish desires that may cause me to abuse my liberties. If it destroys or hinders my Christian sibling, it is sin. There is no need to dispute what God has clearly stated.

 We cannot assume that it is our right to do so and that it does not matter what others think. But God thinks differently, and such attitudes are not pleasing to God.