YOU GOING TO EAT THAT?
Romans 14:1-4 NLT
1 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.
This is a chapter that addresses differences in beliefs between Christians and how we navigate those somewhat touchy areas. You don’t have to be a believer for long to ascertain that we don’t all believe alike. Small wars have been launched in churches over matters that seem insignificant to some but monumental to others. Paul, speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, offers assistance.
Paul does refer to a person who is weak in the faith. That may sound harsh by today’s standards, but Paul is not describing a character flaw but a spiritual reality. A person can be weaker or stronger in faith. This was what Paul was talking about in verse one. There is no need to argue with a person who believes differently. We are not talking about a person believing in Jesus. We are talking about what people believe is right or wrong in certain areas. These areas include foods, drink, and days of the week to celebrate.
The challenge was that certain people believed that eating meat was wrong. This was a person who was weaker in their faith. Paul would later state in verse 17 that the kingdom of God was not in eating and drinking but in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. But not everyone believed that way. Some would only eat vegetables because they believed that was right before God. Other people would eat anything and everything. Paul said if you are free to eat anything, do not disregard those who only eat vegetables. And if you eat vegetables, don’t condemn those who eat the whole buffet. I am glad this was clarified because I am strongly in the meat-eating camp. Don’t condemn me.
Paul makes his case for not judging one another. Who are we to judge another’s servant? I am no one’s master, and I am not qualified to judge. The Lord can help them stand, and they are accountable to Him. My responsibility is not to judge another believer and not make another believer stumble. This is particularly true on matters that are minor in importance.
APPLICATION
I grew up in a home with parents that were strict Southern Baptist. I appreciate the fact that I knew of the Lord, and church was a part of my life from the very beginning. Both of my parents were negatively impacted by alcohol in their childhood, and neither parent drank - ever. I remember being very concerned as a young boy of eight or nine that everyone who was not Baptist was going to hell. And definitely, everyone who drank was hell bound. As I grew, I was able to discern that drinking did not send you to hell; it was the acceptance or rejection of Jesus as Savior that determined an individual’s destiny.
Personally, I do not drink, but neither do I condemn those who do. My job is to build up other believers, not make them stumble. So, I am going to stick with the major things of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and kindness and let the Lord work out all the rest.