MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!
Romans 14:1-13a
Ultimate put down-- "Mind your own business!"
Adult version: "That's not your affair." What business is that of yours?! Jn. 21:22 "... what is that to you?
Because we are in Christ, we are FREE!
What can a child of God do? How far does our liberty go?
We all have our own idea of what real Christians should or shouldn’t do!
Problem: we don’t all have SAME idea of what Christians should or shouldn’t do!
Churches and individuals have their own set of rules!
What basis should we use to evaluate what to do as God's children?
Same question raised by church at Rome.
It was a mixed church—part Jewish and part pagan—so numerous issues were discussed—primarily dealing with OT standards.
MAIN PROBLEM: MEAT THEY COULD EAT.
Many knew O.T. had list of meats we’re not allowed to eat.
Some people didn't eat meat at all–hard to get safe meat; Like Daniel, they were vegetarians.
They missed God’s declaration that He made those meats clean.
Similarly, they fought over celebration of religious holidays.
We call such issues "doubtful things;" deal with matters God’s Word hasn’t clearly defined.
Doesn’t include activities God has spoken clearly about!
Godly response to the gospel:
If God says His people ought to do something–we take His word for it!
We do it!
If God says DON’T do something, we don’t do it!
God commands forgiveness, caring for one another, financial support for those in ministry.
God prohibits lying; He forbids coveting; He prohibits dissension
These aren’t "doubtful". God has spoken! We obey! We DO what God says. Period!
Not ALL differences of opinion are “insignificant”!
Same Paul who wrote this says if you preach a different gospel, you’re to be accursed!
Some more concerned about debatable issues, than about the gospel!
God’s Word is our FINAL authority–We follow what God says–it does matter!
But, what do we do when God doesn’t speak clearly about an issue?
Some issues Bible never mentions.
Sometimes it gives us principles to apply;
but sometimes there’s NO indication of what God wants us to do.
Sometimes the Bible leaves US free to decide what to do.
What do we do when we don’t AGREE about what we’re supposed to do?
Hardest case: we don’t agree about what Bible teaches concerning issue that’s doubtful for you, but isn't doubtful for me!
Solution: make biblical teaching standard for my life, but let it remain doubtful for my brother, as long as he’s committed to change if he becomes convinced of biblical teaching against his view.
Many issues aren't that clear cut:
* Red socks * Pants w/o pleats
* Drinking beer or cut hair? * Mixed bathing or smoking?
* Women wearing pants? * How long should our hair be?
* Dancing? * Wash car on Sunday (cut grass)?
* Go to movies? * Watching videos? * Which videos?
* Kind of music you listen to? * Eating in church sanctuary (coffee?) ?
* Sing, with organ or guitar? * KJV, NIV, NKJV, “gender neutral”?
* HOW TO SCHOOL KIDS? * DATING OR COURTSHIP?
“EASY” as long as we focus on eating meat–not OUR issue!
When I get closer to OUR issues, the room temperature begins to change!
Our idea of what’s right or wrong is often NOT based on Scripture–based on our own background and experience!
One of hardest things: agree on what to include on list of "doubtful" things.
When you find strong disagreement about including something in list of “doubtful” things, that’s an indicator it belongs on the list!
Choose one that causes you a great deal of struggle,
either to decide what you should do, . . . or to accept someone who does it.
[1st principle: ] STOP JUDGING ONE ANOTHER! 14:1-3
Accept one another, for God has accepted us.
You accept him, because GOD accepts him.
Not just grudging tolerance; it’s to WELCOME (with open arms!)
Destructive practice among Christians: critical spirit.
We set ourselves up as judges of others believers.
Too often we’re like person in poem:
“Faults in others I can see; But praise the Lord, there's none in me.”
Paul’s discussion revolves around those who are “weak in faith.”
People who are strong in faith, BELIEVE they’re free to do it!
People who are weak, DON’T BELIEVE they should do it!
Weak person can not participate in an activity.
“Weak” because doesn’t have faith to do it.
Legalists, who don’t do certain things, think of selves as strong!
Human tendency: to think WE’re strong; those who oppose us are weak
People who don’t participate are weak; NOT inferior.
Neutral concerning issue itself; issue isn’t the problem!
He wants both groups to hear what he has to say.
Weak person should be accepted by the rest as one with them (14:1).
Acceptance shouldn’t be granted so we can argue with him, or pressure him to recognize what’s "right" from my perspective.
Neither should acceptance be provisional–until we see if we convince him to change his mind.
We welcome him as he is, recognizing different points of view.
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE: DON’T JUDGE THOSE WHO DIFFER WITH US.
Reason for welcoming others: God accepts both groups (14:2-3).
Distinction isn’t between one who believes and one who does not believe.
That would give impression a weak person has never trusted Christ.
Difference between person who has faith to eat anything and weak one who avoids meat
Strong believes God eliminated distinction between foods; we can enjoy everything He created.
Weak, living in pagan land, imitates pattern set by Daniel who refused to contaminate self with exotic foreign foods; ate only vegetables and water.
Consider how each deals with the other when they discuss a doubtful activity.
A person who enjoys liberty to do something, doesn't try to understand people who can’t.
PEOPLE WHO CAN–belittle/look down on/criticize those who don’t have that freedom.
Considers such convictions to be foolish– Therefore he looks down on them.
He’ll say something like: "Look! Don't be foolish! A little meat won't hurt you!"
Those who can't participate judge people who can, and attack them for carnality and worldliness.
PEOPLE WHO CAN’T–judge/condemn those who do.
Anyone who doesn't follow same rules WE do can't be spiritual!
They will say something like: "God wants His people to be holy!
“Walking in holiness” includes standard I follow!
Anyone who doesn't walk that way is a worldly sinner!"
Exhorts both: "Mind your own business!" Don’t impose your standards on others!
Word to the strong: Stop looking down on others!
Word to the weak: Stop condemning others!
First word–CENTRAL word–addressed to strong!
–To people who enjoy freedom and put down people shackled by “narrow-minded” lifestyle!
We’re not to welcome them so we can “talk them out of their foolishness!”
It’s just as wrong to look down on people who can’t enjoy the same liberty you do–who don’t understand that it’s really O.K.–as to judge those who do it!
It’s just as wrong to make YOUR laws everybody’s laws, and judge those who do what you can’t
BOTH: STOP JUDGING OTHER PEOPLE!
Participating or not participating isn’t essential for fellowship with God.
God welcomes both groups. (Same word Paul began with!)
If God accepts other people, who are we to argue?
How can WE reject from our fellowship someone God welcomes with open arms?!!
Basis for accepting shouldn’t be doubtful activities, but relationship with God.
We have that because of our relationship with Christ, through trusting Him.
GOD HAS ACCEPTED BOTH,
Therefore DON”T JUDGE THOSE WHO MAKE DIFFERENT CHOICES!
[To avoid tendency to judge others, we must recognize Christ’s sovereignty]
RECOGNIZE CHRIST’S LORDSHIP 14:4-9
Fundamental principle of all servanthood 4
A servant answers to his own Master
Don’t judge someone else’s servant!
We have no right to go into someone else's house to tell their servants what to do.
That privilege belongs to their master. The servant belongs to his master, not to us.
Paul adds one more point derived from rest of Romans:
In household, servant that produces good results stays; bad servant is replaced.
In God's house, our Master goes one step further.
He not only evaluates what we’ve done, He also enables us, so when He does evaluate, we can be sure we’ll stand firm.
Same Person who evaluates causes us to pass! He makes us stand on firm ground!
Fundamental principle of our servanthood 5-8
We live to please OUR Master
We’re the Lord’s servants–our role is to be sure WE please Him!
It’s not our place to keep an eye on everybody else! It’s hard enough to keep an eye on ME!
He assumes both groups are seeking to please our Master.
They undoubtedly weren’t making that assumption!
We ought to appreciate that desire–it’s a GOOD desire!
Deal with controversy on basis of conviction rather than capitulate to pressure
He doesn't care whether we eat or not–IF we decide based on what God wants US to do.
Other activities demonstrate, whatever the activity, we should decide what God wants us to do
7 times in 3 vss.: we are the Lord's; we do what we do for Him, NOT for other people.
If we celebrate religious days, we do it for Him. If we don't celebrate, that too is for Him.
If we eat everything in sight, we do it for Him. If we don’t eat certain foods, it’s also for Him
Everything we do should be for Him, NOT other people.
Doing or not doing something is not just to satisfy our desires either.
God doesn't give us freedom to serve ourselves and do what WE want.
Even our life belongs to God.
We live for God; NOT to satisfy our desires.
Whichever choice you make, do it for God’s glory–not your own!
We live (or die!) for the Lord’s benefit–not for others!–not even for ourselves!
Fundamental right of our Master 9
Christ died and rose again, therefore, He alone has the right to rule!
ONLY CHRIST HAS RIGHT TO JUDGE
KEY QUESTION 14:10-13a
Basic question 10a Why are YOU criticizing your brother?
Why do we judge or look down on our brother? God never delegated this authority to us!
Basic fact of life 10b-12
We all must give account to God for our own decisions!
We have enough to keep us busy, worrying about our own lives!
We all come before judgment seat to account for our own actions.
Each of us will confess unworthiness to stand before Him (2 Cor. 5:10).
So why are we so worried about what THEY’RE doing?!!!
Primary conclusion 13a Therefore, STOP JUDGING OTHERS!
EACH PERSON MUST GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF
THEREFORE, DON’T JUDGE OTHER PEOPLE!
Solution: recognize where WE’ve come from. Has God's mercy been great towards us?
If it has, we ought to have attitude of humility before others.
Are we criticizing others for what they do, or don’t do?
Do we look down on people who don't enjoy liberty we enjoy?
Are we guilty of trying to force our standards on other people?
Are we trying to make people accountable to us, when they should be accountable to God?
Proper response to gospel will cause us to welcome people who make different choices!