Romans 14 Part 6
Romans 14 – Part Six (The End)
We have seen that we are safe at the judgment and that we have freedom. We found that we are not to use our freedom is ways that cause others to speak ill of our faith or that cause others to stumble in their own faith. Now we conclude the series in Romans fourteen beginning at verse eighteen.
Romans 14:18 “18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
Paul makes clear exactly what we concluded last time. He stated it another way in Romans 12:18 (KJV) “18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. We read 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 in an earlier installment. Verse eleven adds this, “11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” I love how Paul puts this. He encourages godly behavior and then reassures the saints that he knows they are already doing these things. I find so much of New Testament scripture to be written this way. We can see it if we read carefully and do not inject ideas obtained through poor teaching or the impressions of others. We are often told who we are in Christ, then encouraged to deny ungodliness and live upright and godly lives in this world. That denial of evil and practice of good is not motivated by fear, guilt, or shame. It is motivated by reminding us of who Father made us when we were born of His Spirit.
Romans 14 concludes with this, “20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.”
(Those whose consciences prick them at a certain behavior should refrain from that behavior. In my personal view this is one way Father protects folks with certain weaknesses.)
Carrying on, “21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.”
(This verse has helped me in many ways. We are told that it is acceptable to have faith that we are free to behave in a certain way and to enjoy that freedom while keeping our view on the matter between us and the Lord. I find great comfort in this.)
Now the final verse of Romans chapter fourteen, “23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
Just a word about the use of the word “damned” here. It is important to note what follows. “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” The word translated “damned” is κατακρίνω (katakrinō) (Strong’s G2632). It means found guilty, condemned. When referring to the judgment of God, this guilty verdict means death. When referring to human judgment it is not so harsh. The verdict can be anything. It is my view that it here refers to inner guilt. I think this because a believer is in view here and we know that the sins of every believer are fully forgiven and have been taken away. 2 Corinthians 5:19 tells us that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself and not counting people’s sins against them.
The statement itself has two meanings in my view, however. I believe it also provides a definition of the only thing that can stand between any person and God, and that is unbelief. Titus 1:15 (KJV) says much the same thing about unbelief. There we read, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”
