Giving Grace

Theme: Grace based relationships

Scriptures: Romans 14:1-23

Notes and questions:

B1 The issue is

• To judge or not to judge
• On what basis do we judge?

B2 Outline

• Different opinions Romans 14:1-6
• The Lord’s opinion is what is important Romans 14:7-13
• How to handle different opinions Romans 14:14-23

B3 Judging

• Matthew 7:2, For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
• There are two ways of judging something.
• God’s way
• Other
• The other I/we usually use is myself, my standards and opinions.
• Other methods (not necessarily totally wrong) are doctrine, philosophy, experience, supernatural experience, science, authority (the gov’t or an expert), etc.
• I will be judged with the same standard I used to wrongly judge others.
• We are weak in that we do not usually know the full circumstances.
• Our hearts are easily deceived. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
• There are narcissists and others who are good at deceiving. Proverbs 18:17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
• The only sure, 100% true way is the Bible properly interpreted.
• Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
• God’s judgment is true. John 8:6 “And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.
• Ezekiel 18:8 If he has not exacted usury nor taken any increase, but has withdrawn his hand from iniquity and executed true judgment between man and man;

B4 What is the difference between an opinion and conviction?

B5 What is the basis for God’s law? What is the basis for any other law?

B6 Why would God’s law be superior, better, than any other?

• God’s law is based on His total character as in truth, love, goodness, mercy, grace, holiness, justice, and many more.
• Part is based on God’s holiness.
• In Hebrew the word holy, holiness, etc. is קדש, qôdesh, ko'-desh
• It means to be clean (ceremonially), separate, and set apart.
• It means a being with no flaws in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds, thus separate from anything less than perfection.
• The Greek word is ἅγιος hagios. It means sacred, pure, blameless, and consecrated.
• The Greek word has the idea of perfection in doing what God requires, so a perfection in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.
• God is the absolute perfect in holiness.
• Part is based on justice.
• The Hebrew word is צְדָקָה tsᵉdâqâh, tsed-aw-kaw
• It includes: no bias, equal decisions without favoring one over another, based on a standard, doing what is right, conformity to God’s law.
• The Greek has a number of different words from decisions, judgment, righteousness, etc.

B7 Romans 14:1-4,

• Specifically, the issue is one who eats anything, or at least most things, versus one who eats only vegetables.
• This can be applied in many different ways and issues.
• It seems that the one person would not accept the other as a good Christian.
• What other examples can you think of?
• What does the term weak in faith mean?
• Some feel that it applies to the Jew who is saved but still believes that they must adhere to the Old Testament dietary laws.
• Some feel that it applies to newly converted Christians. The change from unsaved to saved makes their conscience too tender. They want to honor God as much as any Christian.
• It does not refer to saving faith. These people are saved.
• 1 Corinthians 8:7 However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. (NASB)
• Concerning Abraham: Romans 4:20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God
• How do we grow in faith?
• Think of food:
• 1 Corinthians 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with solid food: for until now you were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able. KJ2000
• Hebrews 5:12-13 For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. KJ2000
• 1Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. KJ2000
• Think of training:
• Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them who are trained by it. KJ2000
• Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. KJ2000
• Think of godly preaching/teaching:
• 1Corinthians 2:6 But we speak wisdom among them that are mature: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nothing. KJ2000
• Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto maturity; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. KJ2000
• Think of prayer:
• Mark 14:38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. KJ2000
• Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. KJ2000
• Think of asking for wisdom:
• James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally, and reproaches not; and it shall be given him. KJ2000
• 1 Kings 3:7-9 And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this your so great a people? KJ2000
• 1 Kings 3:10-12 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life; neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies; but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice Behold, I have done according to your words: lo, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like you before you, neither after you shall any arise like unto you. KJ2000
• Why do some become impatient with new Christians?
• How can we avoid this?

B8 Romans 14:5-9,

• If someone feels that they must worship on Saturday, is that OK? (Yes, as long as they understand worshipping on Sunday is not the mark of the beast or proof that someone is NOT a Christian.
• Should we correct faulty beliefs as this?
• Should we get angry at one who has this belief?

B9 Romans 14:10-13,

• What should we remember about judging others? (We have to give an account to God).
• Is there any place for judging others?
• Can the church judge others?
• Is there a place for church discipline?

B10 Romans 14:14-23

• What is the danger to the new believer if we judge them harshly by our standards?
• According to Romans 14:17, what is the greater priority?
• According to Romans 14:19, what should we be attempting to do for each other?
• What does Romans 14:23 teach us about sin?

B11 Next week

• Love guides all.
• Theme: The Law of Love
• Scriptures: 1 John 4:7-1 John 5:5