Weak and Strong
Romans 14:1-2
Pastor Ryan
Part of Romans—How God Does the Impossible
September 8, 2024

What is one thing that makes Christianity unique?”

• You might correctly say Jesus, the Bible, the Trinity, salvation by grace – all of those would correct, but if you asked a Christian in India, they might surprise you with their response.
• An Indian pastor told Christian author Phillip Yancey, “Most of what happens in Christian churches, including even miracles, can be duplicated in Hindu and Muslim congregations. But in my area only Christians strive, however ineptly, to mix men and women of different castes, races, and social groups. That’s the real miracle.”
• But unity is not

. In fact, the diversity of the body of Christ means that unity must be the intentional goal of each member.
• In this section of Romans, Paul wants to give us critical principles for maintaining unity in the .

Principle 1: There will be differences. Commit to .

Romans 14:1-3 | As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 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.
• Understanding the categories

// Strong >> someone who, because of their knowledge of the truth, experiences

in their conscience to enjoy what God has created.
// Weak >> someone who, because of their of knowledge of the truth, has convictions that certain things are not profitable for their walk with the Lord.

• Weak sounds like a negative title, but notice that Paul does not rebuke the weak or act as if their faith is

. Their motivation and goal are pure but it is their knowledge and application that needs to grow.
• Paul says that our primary attitude should be welcoming and the brother or sister that is weak. We should love them. The LAST thing we should do is fight or argue about it.
• Vine >> [The danger for the weaker brother] lies in judging the brother who is strong, and in a liability to take offense. [The danger of the strong] is twofold, namely, of despising the weak brother, and of setting a stumbling block before him.
• Weak according to Wiersbe >> The weak Christian does not yet understand and practice freedom in Jesus Christ. Jewish believers, raised under the law of Moses, had a difficult time adjusting to their new life. Conscience becomes strong as we accept what God says about us in the Word and act on it by faith. However, it takes time for conscience to develop, and we must be patient with one another.

Principle 2: Don’t over nonessentials.

Romans 14:4-12 | 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. 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. 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. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 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. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 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; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
• V. 4 >> Paul now turns his attention to the Christian who is weak in faith. His tendency is to look upon the stronger brother or sister in judgment because they don’t have the same

about secondary or non-essential issues.
• Seven Questions to ask to determine whether something is essential or nonessential:

// Is it clearly taught in

? (i.e., celebrating certain holidays, what to eat or not to eat)
// Is it related to salvation? Essential issues affect the core message and the nature of salvation.
// Does it or hinder love and unity in the church? More on this next week.
// Is it a matter of personal or cultural context? Is this something related to how I was raised or just something that the Holy Spirit is leading me to adopt.
// Does it align with the character of ? Essential issues align with the moral and ethical teachings of Jesus. We should not elevate every lifestyle choice to the level of moral or immoral if it doesn’t contradict Scripture.
// Does it lead to spiritual growth and ? Essential matters help believers grow in their faith.
// Does it create or judgment? Essentials should not be compromised for the same of avoiding conflict.

• Recognize your tendency for

and unrighteous judgment (see James 4:12 & Matthew 7:1-5)
• Here is the reason to follow Jesus rather than spend your life judging others over every point: Judgment is – for them and for YOU

// Those who do not know Christ will stand before the Great White Throne Judgment described in Revelation 20.
// Those who do know Christ will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ described here and in 2 Corinthians 5:10. This is not a judgment of sin leading to condemnation (Remember Romans 8:1). Rather, this is an evaluation of stewardship leading to reward. At this judgment, you will stand before Jesus to be evaluated for how you used your time, your gifts, and your resources – your time, talent, and treasure. You will give an account for all of this.

Jesus has taken away the fear of judgment. Now, you just live for the smile of your Father. You can live to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

• C.S. Lewis >> If you read history you will find out that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next.”
• CT Studd >> Only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.

// Don’t spend your life comparing yourself to other Christians. Are you living as if God is going to call you to give an account for the lives of others rather than your own?
// Don’t spend your life judging the ways your Christian walk is superior. Don’t make yourself the standard.
// Don’t spend your life compromising where Scripture has spoken clearly. Don’t apologize for God’s standards, His will or wisdom.