Principles of Christian Liberty: Disagreement

I. Introduction
   A. One of the main principles in Christianity is the need for "one body"
   B. Romans 12/1 Corinthians 12: the "body of Christ" works as each member    
      contributing to the whole
   C. There is a unity in the body, yet there is also the ability to have much 
      disagreement
   D. Not all things require division: Romans 14
      1. Much misused and/or neglected passage of Scripture
      2. Used to justify a multitude of positions
      3. Many just give up
   E. How sad is it when we cannot agree on the passage concerning disagreement?  
   F. Let us examine the text to see if we can discern at least some of Paul's 
      message for handling disagreements

II. Definitions
   A. In my experience, the message of the text itself is almost unilaterally 
      agreed upon
      1. both sides must respect each other
      2. the "strong" sacrifice some for the "weak," etc.
   B. The major divisions enter in with how terms are defined
   C. Let us look at the major terms: liberty, faith, strong, and weak
   D. Liberty: not in the text, yet a term used often in this discussion
      1. used in 1 Corinthians 8: exousia
      2. Thayer: "power of choice"
   E. Problem comes in with American use of "liberty"
      1. we consider our "liberty" to be "unalienable rights"
      2. millions have fought for these "liberties"
      3. Biblical liberty not so, in fact the opposite: liberties are the things 
         easily forsaken for love and peace
   F. Definition of "liberty" critical for understanding
      1. Probably the best definition of liberty in this discussion would go like 
         the following: "an action allowed  or permitted by God that if not 
         performed will not be a transgression of the will of God."
      2. We are surrounded by liberties: church building, paid and "landed"  
         preacher, Bible studies, etc.
      3. If we forsook those things, would God condemn us?  No; therefore, they 
         are liberties
   G. Faith: notable in the text is the article
      1. In Greek, articles precede the noun
      2. The definite ?the? is used in Romans 14:1 and Romans 14:1 only
      3. The rest of the discussion is about "a faith," essentially, one's 
         "conviction of things not seen," Hebrews 11:1
      4. Therefore, as seen with "strong/weak," the one who is "weak in faith" in 
         Romans 14 is not necessarily weak in "THE faith"
   H. Weak/Strong: the two sides of Romans 14
      1. many from more liberal churches have misconceptions about who is what
      2. in their mind, the "weak" in Romans 14 are "immature" Christians, those 
         wanting power and forcing people to conform to their petty desires
      3. yet this is not in harmony with the text
      4. Thayer on weak in faith, astheneia pistos: "to be doubtful about things 
         lawful and unlawful to a Christian"
      5. Therefore, the one who is "weak" either does not have a conviction or is 
         convicted against the practice, while the one who is "strong" is 
         convicted for the practice
      6. Unlike what many of those in more liberal churches attempt to say, Paul 
         makes no principle in Romans 14 about the intrinsic accuracy of the 
         "strong" and the error of the "weak;" look at the discussion concerning 
         "days"
      7. The "strong" brother possibly should not practice that liberty, and the 
         "weak" brother possibly should not have the lack of conviction 
         concerning whatever action
   I. Let us now examine the text itself with this understanding

III. Romans 14
   A. Verses 1-3
      1. Note on "doubtful disputations"
         a. many argue that the matter of the disputation is doubtful
         b. therefore, things like instrumental music, etc. are in Romans 14 
            because of God's "lack of clarity"
         c. contextually, however, it is evident that the doubt is within the 
            mind of the individual, not of the matter itself: hence, 
            "scruples/opinions"
      2. Opening of discussion: concerning "meats"
      3. Some obviously did not believe that they had the right to eat meats, 
         while others did, causing division
      4. Paul's message: the "strong" ought not "set at nought/despise" the ones 
         who are "weak," and the latter should not judge the former
      5. Why?  God accepts both sides
         a. not based on some esoteric understanding that only God has
         b. based on His Word: He made all things clean (Acts 10)
         c. however, if some wish to not eat such things, they have that option 
            to not do so
   B. Verses 4-12
      1. the heart of the message, and the reason for the position
      2. God is the master, and to whom we will individually stand
         a. message made by James in James 4:12
      3. There must be a conviction about the action for it to be allowable
      4. Why?  Everything we do is a part of the Lord since we are His 
         a. parallel in Colossians 3:17
      5. Important principle: we will each give an account to God
         a. many will grumble that the "other end" is not working as they ought 
         b. it does not matter: if the matter at hand is a liberty, and one is in 
            the position of the strong brother, one must be willing to forsake, 
            or the one who is the weaker one must be willing to not regard with 
            contempt, even if the other side does not do its share
   C. Verses 13-21
      1. The application of the message provided
      2. Paul commands to not place a stumbling block in a brother's way
      3. Another principle: even though God may not have bound some action as 
         sin, if a man does so, he is bound to that
      4. If this is not respected, one walks not in love
         a. what does John say about those who do not walk in love?  (1 John 
            3:14)
      5. "Destroy not him for whom Christ died"
         a. humbling principle
         b. place yourself at the crucifixion, and imagine asking Christ why He 
            is dying, and believe that He says, "I do this so (this weak brother) 
            may live."
         c. What will this do for your attitude concerning these things?
      6. What the Kingdom is/is not: often abused by liberals
         a. "the Kingdom is not about those physical things like instruments, 
            etc."
         b. Paul says it is "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit"
         c. What is righteousness? Is it obtained through actions not commanded 
            by God?  By no means!
   D. Verses 22-23
      1. the demonstration of the "doctrinal" message of Romans 14
      2. We are to have our own faith
      3. Yet Paul gives two warnings to two specific audiences
      4. One: "happy is he that is not condemned by what he approves"
         a. many liberals are confronted with this and want to say it is taken 
            "out of context"
         b. this is not so: the text is clear.  Paul warns that one may be able 
            to be condemned by the actions that one approves
         c. One can gain a false conviction about a certain action
         d. This does not endorse the action at all
      5. Two: "whatsoever is not of faith is of sin"
         a. Paul makes an astounding remark of great importance
         b. Even though the eating of meat is not sinful, if one does not have 
            the faith that it is so, it is sin to them
         c. Demonstration of the importance of faith, and its boundaries
         d. An action can only be pleasing to God if it is performed without 
            doubt, but with conviction (Hebrews 11:1; James 1:6-7)
         e. Therefore, if you have any doubt whatsoever concerning the validity 
            of an action, you cannot perform it without sinning!
         f. Unfortunately, too often we do not follow this, and do things that we 
            have doubts about
         g. We must remember this verse

IV. Conclusion
   A. We have seen that Romans 14 is a product of much controversy
      1. many distortions and misunderstandings
      2. definitions of terms not understood
   B. We can see, however, that Paul desires for us to work out those 
      disagreements which do not pertain to issues regarding salvation
   C. We must constantly recognize the superior value of every other Christian 
      above ourselves (1 Corinthians 10:24), rembering that Christ died for them 
      as well as for us, and that if possible, we must find a way of continuing 
      together
   D. We do not have the right to force a difficult compromise, however, for we 
      have seen that no Christian can perform an action that he is not convinced 
      of
   E. Hopefully we may use this understanding to guide us in the future to 
      maintain the love and unity in Christ Jesus
   F. If you have not yet joined this group, and have not experienced the true 
      love and greatness that being a part of the body of Christ offers, please 
      allow us to help you do so as we stand and sing