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Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd.   P.O. Box #3762   Gillette, WY  82717   (307) 686-1516

 

“Preaching the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)”

 

 

 

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY MUST NOT BE A STUMBLING BLOCK

(Romans 14:9-16)    3/1/09

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

 

I.        REASONS NOT TO JUDGE CHRISTIAN LIBERTY

 

A.      Believers Are Commanded To Accept One Another (1-2)

B.      Believers Are Accepted By God (3)

C.      Believers Are Accountable to God (4)

D.      Believers Have a Right to Their Own Convictions (5-6)

E.       Believers Live Unto The Lord (7-9)

1.       When an individual places his faith in Christ, he belongs to the Lord in body (1Co 3:16; 6:19) and soul (Ro 12:1-2). He no longer lives in life’s pursuits for himself but for the Lord. Also, he no longer dies in ultimate loyalty to himself but to the Lord.

2.       We belong to the Lord and whether we live or die we do it unto God (Phil 1:21).

3.       Since believers are the Lord’s and live exclusively unto Him, no believer has the right to judge another believer in the area of Christian liberty.

4.       At this point, Paul supports his argument from a Christological standpoint. Christ died and now lives so that the believer might live unto the Lord. By dying for the believer’s sin, Christ became his Lord and Savior for all eternity (Phil 2:11; 1Ti 6:15; Re 17:14; 19:16).). By being raised from the dead, Christ is now Lord and Savior over all living believers and their pursuits (2Ti 2:19; 1Pe 3:15).

F.       Believers Will Stand Before the Bema Seat (10-12)

1.       Paul reiterates that no one is to “judge” (krínō – to distinguish and make a decision) or hold with contempt” (exouthenéō – treat someone with disdain or scorn) other believers in regard to Christian Liberty. Paul explains that every believer will stand before the “judgment seat of God.” This refers to the Bema-Seat of Christ (1Co 3:13-15; 4:1-5; 2Co 5:9-10). “Judgment” here is the Greek word bếma and means a step as in an elevated platform from which a judge or magistrate sat (Mt 27:19). It is akin to the judges seat at the Greek Olympic Games where a “crown” (stéphanos) was awarded to the winner.

a)       It does not refer to the Great White Throne Judgment for unbelievers (Re 20:11-15).

b)       It is not for salvation (1Co 3:15).

c)       It is for rewards for works and service to the Lord (1Co 3:14).

d)       It will be tested for sincerity and motive (1Co 3:13).

e)       It is a motivation to serve the Lord and a deterrent from judging other believers (Ro 14:10-13)

2.       Is 45:23 is quoted to show that everyone (“every knee” and “every tongue”), including the believer will submit to Christ’s (Jn 5:22) authority and give an account (Ro 14:12).

 

II.      CHRISTIAN LIBERTY CANNOT CAUSE A BROTHER TO STUMBLE

 

A.      Use Judgment to Avoid Stumbling Blocks (13)

 

1.       The conclusion (oún “therefore) is that, based on all the previous reasons (Ro 14:1-9), a believer is not to judge another believer in the area of Christian Liberty. A play on words is used in this verse. A believer is not to “judge” (krínō) or dispute differences on indifferent things, however, he is to “judge” (krínō) or distinguish and decide what things would cause a particular brother to stumble. In other words, a believer is not to be judgmental but he is to be discerning concerning.

2.       Two words are used to describe a stumbling block, “obstacle” (próskomma) which literally is a rock or other hard object against which a person may strike his foot, causing him to stumble or even to fall (Hendriksen, New Testament Commetary), and “stumbling block” (skándalon) which originally was “the name of the part of a trap to which the bait is attached (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary).

3.       So then, an obstacle or a stumbling block is anything that troubles and impedes spiritual progress or causes someone to trip and fall into sin (cp. 1Co 8:9, próskomma).

4.       [This] … principle applies to any activity or practice that is not inherently sinful. Problem areas vary from society to society and from person to person, but the principle never changes. The loving, caring, strong Christian will determine in his mind and heart to be sensitive to any weakness in a fellow believer and avoid doing anything, including what is innocent in itself and otherwise permissible, that might cause him to morally or spiritually stumble. (MacArthur, Romans in loc.)

 

B.      Do Not Allow Good to Become Evil (14-16)

 

1.       When it comes to Christian Liberty, we are not speaking of anything sinful or unclean. For God has not called it sinful or unclean in His Word. In regard to food (vs. 15-16), Paul was “convinced” (perfect passive - peíthō) that nothing is inherently unclean (koinós – common or in another sense, ceremonially unacceptable). Many things are amoral in that in themselves (“in itself” - dí eautoú) are not considered “unclean.” Even though many things can be used sinfully, it does not mean that in and of itself it is sinful. However, if a believer considers it to be sinful, then “to him it is unclean.” Even if it is not unclean, the believer’s conscience makes it unclean and is affected.

2.       Paul takes a look at the bigger picture. How ludicrous is it to hurt another believer over such a trivial matter as food? If a believer hurts (lupéō – grieve or injure) another believer over food, then he is “no longer walking according to love (agápê – self sacrificial love cp. Ro 12:9-10; 13:8-10). Scripture commands “Do not destroy a brother over food” or any other liberty for that matter. “Destroy” (apóllumi) is a strong word and can mean complete devastation or ruin. A believer could be so distraught or fall into sin that his spiritual life could be seriously devastated. What a spiritual tragedy for a believer for whom Christ died (cp. 1Co 8:11).

3.       So in conclusion, Paul exhorts not to let what is good (the good things God has created for our enjoyment) be spoken of as evil. Literally, “Let not that which is a good thing for you be blasphemed.” Blaspheme means to slander or speak against profanely. Even though a believer may have liberty, if not exercised with regard for his brother, his actions could be unloving and sinful.

 

III.   PRINCIPLES FOR CHRISTIAN LIBERTY

 

#1 -  Do I have faith and knowledge on this activity (1Co 8:1-4)?

#2 -  Am I fully convinced about this activity (5)?

#3 -  Can I do this activity unto the Lord (6-9)?

 

#4 -  Will it stand the test of the Bema Seat (10-12)?

 

                                                   i.      The Bema Seat puts our Christian lives in perspective. Each believer should first and foremost be preoccupied with his own accountable to the Lord.

                                                  ii.      Am I being the judge of others (in Christian Liberty) when in reality we all will stand before Christ?

                                                iii.      Am I exercising my liberty with right motives and in the right way to serve the Lord?

                                                iv.      Am I unwilling to give up my own liberties only to have them burned up as selfish rubbish?

 

#5 -  Will it cause another brother to stumble (13)?

 

                                                   i.      In regard to other believers, my first concern should be to make sure my liberties do not cause them to stumble.

                                                  ii.      Do I even care if my liberties could cause another brother to stumble?

                                                iii.      Do I attempt to discern if my liberties might cause another brother to stumble?

 

#6 -  Am I walking in love in regard to this activity (14-16)?

 

                                                   i.      The main focus of a believer’s life is to be Christ-like and walk according to love as He did.

                                                  ii.      Am I more concerned for my brother or for my liberties?

                                                iii.      Am I, like Christ, willing to sacrifice my own liberties for the sake of another?