HoHum:
Bob Deffinbaugh- I have been in some of the meat markets of the eastern world, especially in some of the remote villages of India. I wanted to know just what kind of meat it was. I also was interested to know how long it had been dead. The flies which swarmed over the dead carcasses were not doing much for my appetite. I was most concerned about whether I would live after eating these meats, and how they would taste on the way down. The early Christians had different concerns: Were these meats in any way involved in heathen worship? If so, should they be eaten? How hard should one try to find out about the origin of these meats?
Introduction:
A. On Romans 14:13-21: Dave Swavely- One time I was playing Uno with 3 of my children. The youngest one, Madison, was only 4 and still learning how to win and lose with grace. So when things were not going her way in the game, she would be tempted to whine and cry. In one game, she was not doing well at all, and she was on the verge of losing it. I, on the other hand, was about to win, and I almost put down a “Draw 4” card which would have put her deeper into the hole and almost certainly sent her over the edge emotionally. But I didn’t want to have to discipline her for throwing a tantrum, and I wanted her to have a good first experience with Uno, so I kept the “Draw 4” card in my hand and picked one off the pile (which disadvantaged me). Then the next time around, the only card I could play was the “Draw 4” card again, but after staring into Madison’s blue eyes and noticing her quivering lip, I kept it in my hand and drew again. This happened a third time and a fourth time, until Madison finally won the game and I was left with a big stack of cards! I don’t like losing any kind of game, even when the winner is so cute, but I thought afterwards what a great illustration this is of how we should treat one another in the body of Christ. We must be willing to give up our rights and our freedoms to keep others from going down the wrong path, when we know they might be headed that way.
However, Dave Swavely doesn’t end it there. “I have not taken a vow to lose every game I ever play, however. This will serve to correct a misunderstanding that some people have of the principle of edification. Some say that if our actions might possibly cause someone to stumble in any area, then we should abstain at all times, just in case we might lead our brothers into sin.” Many times use this Scripture to back this up: “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22, KJV. Two problems with this:
If we were to apply this principle consistently in all areas, we would become people who never do anything! We shouldn’t go to the mall, because a lot of people struggle with covetousness and materialism. We shouldn’t eat food, because gluttony and obesity are such common problems. We better not brush our teeth or tame our hair, because someone somewhere might possibly be led into vanity!
It is not scriptural. Look at 1 Corinthians 10:23-29. In this passage that is also talking about eating meat, Paul repeats the principle of edification, but he also makes clear that he is talking about applying it in situations where we know that our potential actions will cause a brother or sister to sin. If we have no reason to think that will occur then we can go ahead and enjoy our freedom in Christ. For instance, if we know that a certain kind of music brings back memories of a former lifestyle for our brother in Christ, and tempts them to sin, then we should not listen to this around them. But if no such issue is a problem as far as we know, then go ahead and listen to our music (as long as we can give thanks to God and do it for God’s glory and not be ashamed at the judgement Day)
Another misconception relates to the meaning of the word “offense.” Because we use that word in the sense of offending someone, or bothering someone by our actions, it is easy to read that idea into places like Romans 14:20 (New American Standard Version): “Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.” We might think that we should not do anything that bothers other Christians. But that is not what Paul means here when he refers to “giving offense”- he is referring to causing someone to sin (an older and less common meaning of the term). For instance, Jesus had not problem about bothering judgmental people like the Pharisees- in fact, He sometimes went out of his way to do so. (Looked at man with withered hand in Mark 3). Jesus often offended the Pharisees, does this mean that Jesus did wrong. No
Jesus did not change His behavior just because the Pharisees might judge him, because there were bigger issues at stake than making them happy or avoid offending them. “Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”” Matthew 15:12, NIV. Jesus response to this from vs. 14: Leave them (NIV); Forget them (The Message); Don’t worry about them (Good News); Stay away from them (New Century Version); Ignore them (New Living).
There is a difference between offending an actual weaker brother and offending a pharisee. The one we must not offend; the other we must not worry about offending. The difference seems to be this: A weaker brother genuinely struggles in this area. A pharisee doesn’t struggle. He KNOWS right from wrong on these matters and he plans to set others straight!
In the same vein, Paul refused to give into the pressure from legalistic Christians who were demanding that the Gentiles submit to circumcision before they could be considered equal with the Jewish Christians. “Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.” Galatians 2:3-5, NIV. Paul did not give in to them for a moment. That they might be “offended” at what he did was not grounds to surrender to them. He knew that conforming to their rules would give approval to their harmful practice of going beyond what is written.
Thesis: Watch out for the 4 C’s process
For instances:
Convinced
Christians becomes convinced about a particular issue. They found support from experience, and others about this. Although they cannot point to a direct statement of command from the Bible, they fortifies their position with biblical principles that affirm their opinion. Nothing wrong with this. Healthy and good for individuals, families and churches to do this.
“Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” Romans 14:5, NIV. Problem begins at next point
Crusade
They begin to crusade the issue about which they are convinced. It’s not enough for them to personally arrive at such conclusions, they feel a need to make sure everyone knows the truth they have discovered! Must do it in a public way so that all know!
We need to crusade about issues that are firmly established by the Word. Many issues in our day we need to crusade about that are clearly against the Bible. This passage is Talking about disputable matters.
“So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:22.
Condemn
Things begin to deteriorate when the crusaders begin to condemn those who do not see it their way. Subtly and dangerously the crusader often feels superior for having attained a higher level of obedience. Looking down on others and condemning others. “The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.” Romans 14:3.
In-house fighting over disputable matters threatens both the unity and testimony of the local Church. “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5, 6, NIV.
Compensate
The convinced crusader who condemns others is very often compensating for some area of inconsistency in their own life—an area equally obvious to others.
““Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5, NIV.
Psychologists talk about “projecting”- seeing our own faults in others. Most of us can spot the problems of others without seeing our own problems. We have blinders on. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
I was shocked, confused, bewildered as I entered Heaven’s door, Not by the beauty of it all, by the lights or its décor. But it was the folks in heaven who made me sputter and gasp; the thieves, the liars, the sinners, the alcoholics, the trash. There stood the kid from 7th grade, who swiped my lunch money twice. Next to him was my old neighbor, who never said anything nice. Herb, who I always thought was rotting away in hell, was sitting pretty on cloud nine, looking incredibly well. I nudged Jesus, “What the deal? I would love to hear your take. How’d all these sinners get up here? God must’ve made a mistake. And why’s everyone so quiet, so somber? Give me a clue.” “Hush, child,” said He. They’re all in shock. No one thought they’d see you.”
