Don't Just Stand There.....Get a Conviction!!!

Romans 14:5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. (NKJV)

Romans 14 is one of those chapters that every church should read through at least once a year. Statistics and experience teach us that most church splits do not take place because of major theological differences, but because of conflict over non-essentials where faith is concerned. It is easy to understand how first century Christianity might clash over some things. Those from a Jewish background carry with them a rich tradition-after all, they were the only nation to be given a law directly from God Himself. They were a peculiar people. They had wonderfully beautiful symbolic feasts and special days. The Gentiles on the other hand, felt no such compulsion to follow Jewish tradition as it related to eating meat and observance of days. Remember, this chapter is about meat, vegetables, drink, and days...non-essentials as far as faith is concerned. Paul told the Corinthians that "food does not commend us to God" (I Cor 8:8). We are not talking about "black and white issues in this context"- clearly we don't need to debate whether adultery, fornication, drunkeness, or idolatry are right for some and wrong for others.

In this chapter, both the weak and the strong are commended for their faith and the way that they honor God by their convictions (Romans 14:6). We should be careful not to characterize the "weak" brethren as the Judaizers (like those in Galatia) who insisted on faith plus circumcision. Paul sharply rebuked the Judaizers at every turn, so it is clear that he does not view the "weak" brother as one who is believes in salvation by works (despite the overactive conscience and numerous convictions they held to on non-essential elements). The weak brother honors God by his convictions- he does so out of a pure heart and desire to please God. He is "weak" in the sense of knowledge, not in the sense of faith. His lack of knowledge stems from an improper understanding of Creation. Paul wanted them to understand that food is not inherently good or evil (Romans 14:14) - because the "earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof" (Psalm 24:1/ I Cor 10:26).

I could say much more on this chapter, but let me quickly get to a point. Here we have these two "factions" in the church. Those who insist on eating vegetables and give special honor to certain days, and those who believe they can eat anything, and treat everyday as the day the Lord has made (I could really take a rabbit trail here, but I'm going to resist the temptation for now...). Now one might expect Paul to take an ecumenical stance and say "why can't we all just lay aside our differences." But interestingly, he says exactly the opposite- let every man be fully convinced/persuaded in his own mind. It is important that we know what we believe and why we believe it. It is important to understand our convictions and what we base them upon. He will later go on to say that is important because it can become an issue of sin (and spiritual life and death). I'm tempted to compose a sermon entitled "little things that send people to hell." Paul says that there are devastating consequences for the brother who violates his conviction (conscience) and for the one who coerces or tempts another to violate his (i.e. flaunting his freedom in front of a weaker brother).

So I want to encourage you today and echo the words of Paul- get fully convinced of what you believe. I find this topic so fascinating, I may continue in later blogs (Lord willing) to unpack this topic.

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