November 22, 2020
The epistle to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul to the church in the capital city of Rome. The date of the letter was most likely around 56 A.D., near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, while he was in Corinth. Paul had wanted to visit the believers in Rome for some time, however, he had not yet had the chance to do so. The letter afforded Paul the opportunity to introduce himself to the church, and to instruct them in essential truths of the gospel.
The church in Rome was probably founded by those who had come to faith in Christ on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Unlike many of the other churches that Paul wrote to, his aim was not primarily to correct wrong theology or sinful living on the part of the Roman Christians, but to further instruct the church in doctrinal truths and practical living in light of those truths.
The principal theme of Paul’s letter to the Romans is that God justifies guilty, helpless sinners by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. He dispels any notion that heaven and a relationship with God can be achieved through good works. Generally, the first eleven chapters of Romans are primarily theological while chapters 12-16 are more about practical Christian living and life in the church.
While the letter does contain some challenging passages that believers have debated, Paul addresses issues such as man’s sin and God’s wrath, justification by faith alone, the security of the believer’s salvation, sanctification, God’s sovereignty, God’s plan for Israel, the purpose of governing authorities, Christian living, and the proper use of one’s liberty in Christ.
It was while studying and teaching the book of Romans that a German Catholic priest, in the early 1500’s, came to understand Romans 1:17 in a brand new light. The words, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” led him to understand justification was by faith alone and not by works. God would so impact Martin Luther with these words that he became a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation.
Romans 14
Do Not Pass Judgment on One Another
1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Do Not Cause Another to Stumble
13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Reflection:
- Paul warns believers against being legalistic and judging others who may not be as mature in their faith in Christ. Do you ever struggle with being judgmental of others?
- How do you leave room for grace with others?
- What would be a real-life example where you could make someone stumble in their spiritual walk?
- What is your understanding of Paul saying to not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil (v. 16)?
- What does Paul mean by not destroying the work of God (v. 20)?
Prayer: Lord, my desire is to always bring you joy with my life. Help me to never grieve the Holy Spirit, or to be a stumbling block to someone else in their faith. Empower me to live my life with conviction seasoned with grace. Use me to bring encouragement to others in their walk with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I am thankful for the timeless Word of God.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I know I have sinned and have fallen short of Your glory. I do not deserve all of your love and grace and forgiveness but yet there you are day after day forgiving and redirecting and sending me on my way. I cannot praise or thank you enough for your steadfast faithfulness . Help me stay focused on being a better person in every way and help me be a channel of blessings today. In Jesus’name, I pray. Amen.
Thank you Lord for the freedom to live in grace and not by works. However, thank you also for your Spirit, that continues to transform me, my desires, prioritizing your plans over mine, so that I can take joy in whatever sacrifice necessary to see your kingdom work done.
Everything I do, I do for the Lord.
Thank You Lord for this day. And also thank You for the reminder to not judge others even thought we differ in ideas, beliefs, and practices. Help me serve and be a blessing to others this and every day in order for them to se You in me. Amen.
Father,
Why did you give us free choice?
May I always remember Joshua 24:15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Father, in all I do, in all I say my I proclaim your grace and mercy. You did not have to choose me, you did not have to call me, but you did. I did not have to surrender, but I did. I recommit my life to your, LORD.
Open the eyes and hearts of the wanderers in my life. May they choose to follow you this day.
As the world chooses the devil and his ways, I choose the ways of the LORD. If you are reading this, you too, have a choice.
Praying for you today,
Amen