Monday, May 21, 2012

Weekly Meditations: Romans 14; Contrary Beliefs

This is a tough passage to teach because it can be easily heard the wrong way.  Essentially, the main point of this chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans is, within Christianity, there are many things that the Bible doesn't speak on, and therefore in the church people will have different beliefs on what is ok to do and what isn't.

I think first off, lets just throw a few things out that are not permissible within the Christian faith, i.e., if you claim to be a Christian, there are things that you should not do (now of course Christians are still sinful and they may do some of these things, but if so, they would surely repent, confess their sin to God and hopefully others and seek help on killing the sin in their life).  We are to follow Christ's commands.  Loving others, loving and obeying God which really means there are lots of things that we should not do. Paul has many lists within his letters that include things such as anger, murder, premarital sex and other sexual immorality, stealing, drunkenness, addiction and even homosexuality.  Secondly, as Christians we are to respect government officials and thus the laws they have created.  Therefore, if you are under 21, you should not drink alcohol, drugs are not ok and the list goes on and on.

However, there are many things that are not specifically in the Bible, nor are they illegal, such as drinking alcohol (but not getting drunk), listening to a certain type of music or watching a certain tv show, I'm sure you can think of other examples as well.  What Paul is saying in Romans chapter 14 is, listen to your convictions.  If you think it is ok, then if it is not illegal nor is it restricted biblically, then it is ok to do.  If you like to drink beer, that is ok.  If you think beer is bad, that is also ok.  Now like I said, this could be easily confused and taken the wrong way.  The point I want to make is that there will be disagreements between Christians on if things are ok to do or not.  Take drinking beer for example.  Some Christians are ok with it and some aren't.  The point is not whether it is right or wrong, the point is to respect others in your decisions.  If you are out to eat with someone who thinks beer is a sin, then don't order beer!

Listen to your convictions on things that are 1. not restricted biblically and 2. not illegal.  You would be wise to ask a pastor or elder if you feel that something you do may be wrong.  Maybe it is best not to listen to that artist or watch that show.  Pray and listen to your convictions and let those help you decide your boundaries on certain areas.

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