Romans - Week 33

Lord of the Living and Dead

READ

Romans 14:7-9

7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

Although we should have others in mind as we live, this passage emphasizes that what we are doing is to be done to honor the Lord. Believers are to honor the Lord by the way they live as well as by the way they die. It is a great testimony to have someone say, “When my loved one was ready to pass away there was complete peace about meeting Jesus face to face.” That is acknowledging that Jesus is both Lord of the living and of the dead.

REFLECT

Everyone wants to live as long as possible, but do you have the kind of peace spoken about here when your time comes to meet the Lord face to face? If so, share it with others.

RESPOND

Read Philippians 1:20-24 where the apostle Paul told the believers in Philippi about his desire to remain alive or to be with Jesus. Do you and your disciple have peace that when you leave this life you will be in the presence of Jesus?

The Judgment Seat

READ

Romans 14:10-11

10 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say, “As surely as I live,” says the Lord, “every knee will bend to me,

and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.”

Having mentioned being with Jesus, Paul says more about what it will be like on that day. Previously Paul had written about each believer not judging another on disputable matters. The “judgment seat” here referred to a place of reward for believers, as described in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15. The Lord Jesus is the final judge who will lovingly and accurately know how to reward, or not reward, each believer.

REFLECT

Attention has been directed to 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 previously. Reread it now and think more about the passage.

RESPOND

Think of 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 as the believer’s final job interview. Talk with your disciple about how knowing this affects the way you should live today.

Stop Condemning

READ

Romans 14:12-13

12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

Because each believer is accountable to God, Paul urges Christ-followers not to be sitting in judgment of each other about issues where the Bible has not spoken. Some have backgrounds that give them an unnecessarily sensitive conscience about certain matters. Paul appeals to those who don’t believe the same way not to cause the other believer to stumble in the Christian life. It is true that the believer should live to honor the Lord, but he must act in love to those around him.

REFLECT

Think about some of the differences you have had with other believers. How can you act in such a way that does not cause others to stumble?

RESPOND

Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 to see how Paul restricted himself before some others so he might win them to Christ. Rather than making his life broader and broader, he made it narrower and narrower.

Differing Opinions

READ

Romans 14:14-16

14 I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. 15 And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. 16 Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good.

Whether it had to do with those of Jewish background with restrictions on certain meats or with those who bought choice meat in the market place left over after a sacrifice to idols, Paul gave this conclusion. If a person believes it is wrong, then it is wrong for that individual. And a believer who does not think it is wrong should not cause distress or offend the one who thinks it is wrong. Paul was strong in saying that such an unloving act could “ruin someone for whom Christ died.” Such a person will not lose his salvation but will be extremely confused.

REFLECT

Think about the believing friends you have. Do some fall into the categories Paul is describing? Are more mature believers acting in love toward them?

RESPOND

Read 1 Corinthians 8:8-13 then talk with your disciple about whether your evangelism is helped or hindered by what you are doing.

Goodness and Peace and Joy

READ

Romans 14:17-19

17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. 19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Paul now comes to his bottom line: Are you producing harmony in the church or disharmony? God is not as concerned about what you eat as He is about whether you are spreading goodness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. A loving attitude will produce harmony in the body of believers. Such an attitude will not be judgmental of other believers who believe something about secondary matters.

REFLECT

How would you grade yourself on whether your attitude is producing harmony in the church?

RESPOND

As some have said, “We need to love what God loves and hate what He hates.” Read Proverbs 6:16-19 to see what He hates. Do you hate the same things?