Morning Message: First Amendment?

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "First Amendment?"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

We are back in Romans today, and in spite of the title “First Amendment,” the message is not about the US Constitution or the Bill of Rights, but about the freedom we enjoy in Christ Jesus! If we were to “reverse think” the premises for the Bill of Rights, we might well find its basis right here in Romans 12, 13, and 14. Romans 12:1-2 may even supply a like-phrase to “American Exceptionalism!”

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Christ’s freedom is available to all!

Before departing Romans during the Resurrection season, these chapters underscore our actions and attitudes toward principalities and powers, toward the Church, and today concerning those that do not believe as we believe. Today in particular, we must acknowledge that all Christian denominations do not agree on a large number of issues, including God’s Doctrines of Faith, and man-made dogmas of faith.

The example of Eve while being tempted by the serpent comes to mind. Eve said in Genesis 3:3, "But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, ‘Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.’" Now, we know that Eve misquoted God by saying they should not touch the fruit of that one tree. God said nothing about touching the fruit, only that she and Adam should not eat the fruit of that tree.

(Laughingly) What if Adam had invented a ball game, and that one fruit was the only suitable object? Other fruits were oblong like bananas, or bell shaped like a pear? What about a nice ripe squishy tomato? Or the tiny cherries on that tree. None of those fruit would work well for say, baseball.

Eve’s practice of adding to God’s Word would deprive us of the delightful freedom to throw out the first pitch and play ball! But there’s more; changing God’s Word would violate another command of God in Revelation 22: 18 - 19, which bring long-term consequences to those who add to God’s Word or remove anything from it.

The best thing to do it to leave God’s Word as He is: perfect, complete, and sufficient in Himself: Live like Jesus lives, doing no harm to anyone.

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Romans 14:1-23 - "First Amendment?"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Romans 14 is a profound chapter in the New Testament that addresses the themes of Christian liberty, the importance of love and unity within the body of Christ, and the necessity of living out one's faith with a clear conscience. In this chapter, the Apostle Paul speaks to the Roman Christians about the need to accept one another despite differences in convictions, particularly concerning dietary laws and the observance of special days. This passage is as relevant today as it was in the first century, offering timeless principles for maintaining harmony and mutual respect within the Christian community.

In the first twelve verses of chapter 14 Paul has taught Christians in that church to stop passing judgments on each other and despising each other. Jewish Christians were condemning Gentiles Christians about eating unclean foods and not keeping the festivals of Moses. Gentile Christians were despising Jewish Christians for not eating with them, eating all foods, and for keeping the Sabbath and other feasts of Moses. They were to recognize that God had received them both and that God was the judge. Therefore, they were to welcome and accept one another, but not for the purpose of disputing over these things. Paul is going to pursue this thinking further as he directs these Christians concerning how to act over these divisive issues.

The church today ought to pay more attention to Paul’s exhortation. Rather than exercising—and parading—all our freedoms, we should be mindful of how the example of our life impacts others. Whether in word or deed, we can’t afford to put stumbling blocks or occasions to fall in someone else's way (Romans 14:13).

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Receive (14:1) - The Greek word revers to personal and willing acceptance of another.

Weak in the Faith (14:1) - This characterizes those believers who are unable to let go of the religious ceremonies and rituals of their past. 

Doubtful Disputations (14:1) - The mature believer should not sit in judgment on the sincere but underdeveloped thoughts that govern the weak believer's conduct.

One Believes (14:2) - This refers to the strong believer, whose mature faith allows him to exercise his freedom in Christ by eating the inexpensive meat sold at the pagan meat markets - inexpensive because a worshiper had first offered it as a sacrifice to a pagan deity.

Eateth Herbs (14:2) - The strict diet that weak Jewish and Gentile believers ate to avoid eating meat that was unclean or may have been sacrificed to idols.

Despise...Judge (14:3) - Indicating a contempt for someone as worthless, who deserves only disdain and abhorrence.  "Judge" is equally strong and means "to condemn."  Paul uses them synonymously:  The strong hold the weak in contempt as legalistic and self-righteous; the weak judge the strong to be irresponsible at best and perhaps depraved.

To His Own Master He Stands or Falls (14:4) - How Christ evaluates each believer is what matters, and His judgment does not take into account religious tradition or personal preference (cf. 8:33, 34; 1 Corinthians 4:3-5).

Esteems One Day (14:5) - Though it was no longer required by God, the weak Jewish believer felt compelled to observe the Sabbath and other special days associated with Judaism (cf. Galatians 4:9, 10; Colossians 2:16, 17).  On the other hand, the weak Gentile wanted to separate himself from the special days of festivities associated with his former paganism because of its immorality and idolatry.

Esteems Every Day Alike (14:5) - The mature believers were unaffected by those concerns.

Let Each Be Fully Persuaded (14:5) -Each Christian must follow the dictates of his own conscience in matters not specifically commanded or prohibited in Scripture.  Since conscience is a God-given mechanism to warn, and responds to the highest standard of moral law in the mind (2:14, 15), it is not sensible to train yourself to ignore it.  Rather, respond to its compunctions, and as you mature, by learning more, your mind will not alert it to those things which are not essential.

To The Lord (14:6) - Whether weak or strong, the motive behind a believer's decisions about issues of conscience must be to please the Lord.

Lives to Himself...Dies to Himself (14:7) - The focus of Christian living is never oneself.  Everything we do should be to please the Lord (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:20; 10:31).

Lord of Both the Dead and the Living (14:9) - Christ died not only to free us from sin, but to enslave us to Himself (6:22); to establish Himself as Lord over the saints in His presence and those still on earth (cf. Philippians 2:11; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16).

Your Brother (14:10) -A fellow believer in Christ.

The Judgment Seat of Christ (14:10) - The preferred rendering is "the judgment seat of God."  Every believer will give an account of himself, and the Lord will judge the decisions he made including those concerning issues of conscience.  That verdict is the only one that matters.

It Is Written (14:11) - Paul quoting Isaiah 45:23; 49:18.

Judge This Rather (14:13) - The same Greek word translated "judge" is here translated "resolve."  In verses 3, 10, 13a the meaning is negative:  "to condemn."  Inverse 13b, the meaning is positive: "to determine to make a careful decision."  The point of Paul's play on words is that instead of passing judgment on their brothers, they should use their best judgment to help fellow believers.

Stumbling Block (14:13) - Anything a believer does - even though Scripture may permit it - that causes another to fall into sin (1 Corinthians 8:9).

Unclean (14:14) - The Greek word originally meant "common" but came to mean "impure" or "evil."

Grieved (14:15) -The Greek word refers to causing pain or distress.  A weak believer may be hurt when he sees a brother do something he believes is sinful.  

Love (14:15) - Love will ensure that the strong Christian is sensitive and understanding of his brother's weaknesses (1 Corinthians 8:8-13).

Destroy (14:15) - Refers to complete devastation.  In the NT, it is often used to indicate eternal damnation.  In context, however, it refers to a serious devastation of one's spiritual growth.

Your Good (14:16) - The rightful exercise of one's Christian liberty.

Spoken of as Evil (14:16) - To blaspheme.  When unbelievers see a Christian abusing his freedom in Christ and harming a weaker brother, they will conclude that Christianity is filled with unloving people, which reflects badly on God's reputation.

Eating and Drinking (14:17) - These are non-essentials and external observances.

Righteousness (14:17) - Holy, obedient living.

Peace (14:17) -The loving tranquility, produced by the Spirit, that should characterize believers' relationships with God and each other (Galatians 5:22).

Joy in the Holy Ghost (14:17) - Another part of the Spirit's fruit, this describes an abiding attitude of praise and thanksgiving regardless of circumstances, which flows from one's confidence in God's sovereignty (Galatians 5:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:6).

Approved by Men (14:18) - After a careful examination.  Christians are under the microscope of a skeptical world that is assessing how they live with and treat one another.

All Things...Pure (14:20) - Discretionary liberties which God has given to believers and are good in themselves.

Who East With Offense (14:20) - Using God-given liberties carelessly and selfishly and offending weaker brethren.

Whatever is Not of Faith (14:24) - The thoughts and actions that the conscience condemns.