Resources

• Romans overview (video): Part 1, Part 2
• Romans is structured as follows:
  • Books 1-4: Revealing God’s Righteousness
  • Books 5-8: Creating a New Humanity
  • Books 9-11: Fulfilling God’s Promise to Israel (Past/Present/Future)
  • Books 12-16: Unifying the Church

Romans 15: Unifying the Church – Love in Unity Without Judgment

• Romans 15 Reading Guide
• Romans 15 Teaching Notes (PDF)
• Romans 15 Video

Context

• Many decisions in the Christian life don’t come with absolute, yes-or-no, one-size-fits-all answers.
  • On major issues, God’s Word is clear. But on less important subjects, Christians might find it necessary to agree to disagree. How to live out that kind of unity is the focus of Paul’s comments in Romans 14.
  • Some actions are clearly right such as setting ourselves aside in love and service to others and be in submission to human authorities.
  • Other things are clearly wrong, such as sexual immorality, jealousy, and drunkenness.
  • Some practices not clearly right or wrong for all people.
  • The debate on right vs wrong is based on some of the rules and restrictions of the law of Moses.
• Christ’s followers were freed from following some of Moses’ rules, but doubts lingered.
  • Is it right or wrong now to eat meat that might not be kosher according to the law?
  • Is it right or wrong now to observe special days like Jewish festivals and the Sabbath?
• Paul divides the church into two groups based on their response to such questions:
  • Those who follow Christ are free to eat and drink anything.
  • Believers who are “weak” in their faith may not feel comfortable eating or drinking whatever they want, thinking it’s still wrong for Christians to eat non-kosher meat (Romans 14:1–2).
  • Paul calls these concerned believers “weak in faith,” and instructs those who strong in their faith to help those who are weak.
  • Neither group should pass judgment on the other. God has welcomes both groups into His family.
• A key component of Paul’s teaching is that we must not judge each other.
  • Judgment is coming for Christians when Christ will examine all our works. He will determine which of our deeds were worthwhile and which were worthless.
  • Though our salvation in Christ is secure, each of us must give an account of ourselves to God for how we spent our days. We will not be judged according to the preferences of other believers (Romans 14:10–12).
• The group of “stronger” Christians must not brag about their strength. These stronger Christians must set aside their freedom to promote peace, unity, and building up the church.
• Having the “freedom” to do something does not make that action acceptable in all times and places. It’s better to not do anything that causes another Christian to stumble.
• A strong Christian’s first priority should be to avoid tripping up someone who is weaker in his or her faith.
  • If someone believes something is unclean—meaning their conscience cannot agree to partake in it—then it really is unclean for them, individually. To violate their conscience in that case is a sin. (Romans 14:13–24).
• “Weaker” faith Christians don’t have the authority to put their restrictions on other believers (1 Corinthians 10:29–30; 1 Timothy 4:4).
  • Just because something is a sin to you does not make it a sin for all other Christians.
  • Anyone who violates their conscience in unclear matters is committing a sin.
• All Christians should keep disagreements about non-essential convictions and practices between themselves and God.

Notes from the video

• When mature believers have a conflict with immature believers you will have a threat to church unity.
• Mature Gentiles understand idols are not gods and could eat the meat that had been offered to the idols. The weaker believers refused to eat meat that had been offered to the idols even though they knew the idols were not gods.
  • A more modern example: some Christians will still watch R-rated films.
• Verse 1: we should accept anyone who is weak in the faith
  • We must not judge someone who is weaker in the faith.
  • Example: some people smoke outside the church before going in for the service.
  • Example:Romans 12 talks about gifts. A new person in faith may not accept these gifts because they think the gifts are “weird”.
• Verse 2: being picky about what to eat
  • A mature faith can eat anything,
• Verse 3: Those with strong faith must not look down on those with weaker faith.
  • Example: Someone who doesn’t drink must not judge (condemn) someone who does.
• Verse 4: God will sustain each one of us.
• Verse 5: The day you worship is an individual choice – no day is better than any other day.
• Verse 8-9: If we live, we live for the Lord. Whether we live or die we belong to the Lord.  Christ rules over the dead and the living.
  • He died to free us from sin and to enslave us to Him.
  • We gave up ourselves for His glory.
• Verse 10: Why do you look down upon your brother?
  • One day we will have to give an account of ourselves to God. We will be judged.
  • God knows and sees everything. We cannot hide anything from Him.
• Verse 11: Every knee will bow to the Lord and every tongue will give praise to God.
  • This references Isaiah 45:23, Isaiah 49:18, and Revelation 20:11-15
• Verse 12: Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
• Verse 13: Since God is the ultimate authority His judgment is final.
  • We should edify one another – don’t criticize one another
  • 1 Corinthians 8:9 – be careful you don’t create a stumbling block to those with weaker faith
• Verse 14: Nothing is unclean in and of itself – what we do with it is what makes it bad
  • Some may think things are still unclean – we need to respect this
• Verse 15: If your brother is hurt by something you do in front of them, don’t do it
  • Example: Someone loves candy and is on a fast – do not tease them by eating candy in front of them
• Verse 17: The kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, not restricting things we drink or eat
  • Peace: a loving tranquility only produced by the Holy Spirit
  • Joy: a consistent attitude of praise and thanksgiving
  • Eating and drinking is an immature perspective
• Verse 18: You will see unity when you focus on righteousness, peace, and joy
• Verse 19-20: Focus on what brings peace and builds up one another. Don’t tear each other down over things unrelated to righteousness, peace, and joy – this is putting stumbling blocks in your brother’s path.
• Verse 23: Everything that is not from a conviction is sin.

Group Discussion

• Many people use the actions of others to divide the church.
  • Some people think it’s sinful not to use the KJV translation. When you talk to these people you should reference KJV to avoid creating a stumbling block for them,
  • Some people will not consume alcohol – don’t drink around them.
• Discussion of Verse 14: Nothing is unclean in and of itself – what we do with it is what makes it bad
  • Wine is consumed in church but some drink wine in excess outside of church to get drunk
  • When where and how is what creates the sin
  • If I read the Bible at work instead of doing my job this is a sin
• Verse 23: Everything that is not from a conviction is sin.
  • Example: some people think playing cards is bad. If these people were to play cards then that is a sin since it goes against their conviction.
  • If you feel guilty about doing something then you are likely violating one of your convictions (even if it’s not a sin to God) and you shouldn’t be doing it.