Romans - Week 34

Motivate by Love

READ

Romans 14:20-21

20 Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.

Paul continues telling believers how to live with each other. Food had become an issue so Paul tells them not to “tear apart the work of God over what you eat.” His basic principle was that a believer should be motivated by love for others; not for the desire of a particular food. His concern was that some believers who had the liberty to eat a particular food would arrest the spiritual growth of a believer who did not have that liberty and did not understand.

REFLECT

What are you learning from Romans 14? Is it making you more sensitive to what other believers might think?

RESPOND

You and your disciple should make a list of a few things you will do differently because of what you have read in Romans 14.

Guilt and Sin

READ

Romans 14:22-23

22 You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. 23 But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.

Paul here deals with guilt feelings believers can have about what they are eating. This would also apply to other situations. In short, his message is, “If in doubt, don’t.” This indicates a believer should not go against his conscience. Gaining more knowledge can change how the problem is thought about, but a person should not cross the line of his conscience telling him what not to do. Paul says to do what your conscience is telling you not to do is sin.

REFLECT

Have you had guilt feelings about doing something? How did you react?

RESPOND

Talk to your disciple about having a tender conscience and not going contrary to it. On the other hand also discuss how your conscience is eased as you learn more from the Bible.

Be Considerate

READ

Romans 15:1-2

1 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.

Paul continues telling about the weak believer and the strong believer and how they should react to each other. For instance, if you know all days are holy and all food is acceptable if received with thanksgiving, you are to be considerate of those who do not believe the same way. The stronger believer should seek to encourage and build up the weaker one. This was a problem in Paul’s day just as it is today.

REFLECT     

What have you done to encourage those who have a limited view of Christian liberty?

RESPOND

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 to see it emphasized how believers need to be concerned about building up each other.

Christ's Example

READ

Romans 15:3-4

3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

Paul doesn’t use the word love but he gets to the same point by saying believers should not live for themselves. The prime example was Jesus who didn’t live to please Himself. The Scriptures tell more than once how what happened to others should be an example to believers who read about those experiences now. Note that especially in times of despair and discouragement the Scriptures provide hope and encouragement.

REFLECT

Have your read some in the gospels recently to see the abuse the Lord Jesus suffered and how He reacted? Let that be your example.

RESPOND

Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 to see how the experiences of the Old Testament Israelites should be an example to believers now. Read also Philippians 2:3-11 that reveals the example of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Source of Harmony

READ

Romans 15:5-6

5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note that God is the source of true patience and encouragement. It is the same God who can enable believers to live together in harmony. Paul says this is “fitting for the followers of Christ Jesus.” It is wonderful when a group of believers from different backgrounds and diverse views can “join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

REFLECT

Think how it must please God when believers are in harmony and praising Him. Has your congregation or group been able to praise the Lord in this way?

RESPOND

Read Colossians 3:13-15 to see it stressed about believers making allowances for each other’s faults. Believers will find it easier to forgive others when they remember how much Christ has forgiven them.