Basic principles of conduct. Romans 14:7-21 It is a reason for my concern that I remember I am not an independent person, but live an interdependent life, both affected by those around me and affecting those around me. There are principles of conduct I must consider in everything I do that have consequences on me and others. Not all Christians are alike in their faith. The law of love constrains me to accept my brothers and sisters in spite of varying cultural and personal bias that we might have. Some things though, are fundamental in the practice of holy and loving Christian fellowship.
It is always wrong for me to be conformed to the world. No matter who I am and where I have come from, "love of the world is enmity with God." The cosmos and the ecclesia are two entirely different social systems under two totally opposite leaders. The "god of this world" world is Satan. The "Head of the Church" is the Lord Jesus Christ. I am to be transfigured from the world and its ways by the renewing of my mind [Ro.12:1-2].
Another principle of conduct as it relates to my brothers and sisters in Christ is that I am not to have a condemning attitude toward them. I may have a different opinion than my fellow-believers about certain things such as what I eat, what I do on the Lord's Day or who I show friendship toward. But this does not give me the right to condemn them for their different ways or thoughts. The Lord Jesus was condemned by some when He was here for eating "with publicans and sinners." Some may not want to do that even today. I am not to condemn them for not doing that even if I choose to do so [Ro.14:1-3].
A principle that I need to keep constantly before me is that my convictions must be based on the Word of God. The Word of God does not allow some things (theft, homosexuality, adultery) even though society today overlooks those things, and in some parts of society, condones and even promotes them. whether I accept them or not is not up to me. These are condemned by the Word of God. When the Word of God is silent on a matter such as the food I eat, the work I do, the place I live or other matters of personal opinion, then I am not allowed to condemn or reject that person because of a difference of opinion.
V.7-9. The issue involved here is whether the conduct is condemned by scripture or allowed by one's conscience. The overriding decision in a matter is whether one is able and willing to own the Lordship of Christ in it. We are to live our life to the Lord, and if my conduct leads me to die for my convictions, I am able to die owning Jesus as my Lord. He died that he might be Lord of those who live for Him or die for Him. In life or in death, we are the Lord’s servant.
Our main objective in life is to serve Him, not ourselves. Our relationship with the Lord is what is important in everything we do in the Christian life. His lordship over us whether we live or die, comes from the fact of His death and resurrection for us. Consequently, we do not live or even die unto ourselves. He is Lord over us when we are living and He guides and rules our actions in ways that are best because He knows the end from the beginning. When we die, He receives our soul and spirit and will raise our bodies from the dead when He comes for His church.
V.10-13. The time is coming when I am going to give account to God for the conclusions I have reached as to how to live. Christians need to be sure that our conclusions do not cause someone else to stumble in their walk before the Lord. It is wrong for weak Christians to judge and it is wrong for strong Christians to show contempt. Both are going to be judged by the Lord at the judgment seat of Christ. There we will give account of ourselves and what we have done here. How important it is that I resolve before God, not to create anything that will make a brother or sister to stumble and fall.
To be considerate of one another in the family of God is expected behavior in God’s family. There is One who knows the motivation behind every action and opinion of His people. I am accountable to my Lord Jesus Christ for what I do or not do; not to other people. When a brother or sister takes an action in which I cannot participate, I am not given the right to insist that what is being done is wrong if there is no scriptural injunction against it. In the same way, if what I want to do will knowingly offend others, then I should be considerate and refrain from that action or activity.
When my conscience tells me some action is sinful, then if I do that, it is sin. If I am pressured by someone to do that anyway, even if they think it is okay, that is a stumbling block. My decision is to be based on whether it will stumble another person, not only on if I want to do it. Each of us is accountable to God. When we stand before the Lord, we won’t be worried about what other Christians have done.
We need to commit all we do to the authority and scrutiny of the word of God. I must make a point now to not discourage, grieve or make my brothers and sisters sad because of my opinions. Rather, I should build up their faith and confidence in God. The Lord knows my heart and there will be a time when I put into words before Him at the judgment seat, the motivation behind the actions that I take.
V.14-17. Christians in Rome who were strong in faith, were urged to limit their own liberty and demonstrate their love to the believers who were weak in faith. The same attitude should be in us today. We should never flaunt our Christian liberty but should use that liberty to strengthen those who still have some forms of bondage, lest they should be stumbled and fall in sin against their own conscience. In Rome the laws of Judaism were still an influence on new Jewish believers. In the kingdom of God, we should be promoting righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit rather than personal opinions.
Sometimes there may be a decision made on one occasion that is quite inconsistent with actions taken on another. A basic principle of conduct is that I be consistent in the things I do. I know what freedom in Christ is and I also know what freedom of conscience is. The two go together. My freedom in Christ does not free me to ignore or grieve the conscience of another person. My liberty is to be controlled by the Spirit of God who give me the higher responsibility of acting in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospel accounts, and now Paul His apostle, made it clear that the dietary rules of the Jews do not have anything to do with the new covenant of salvation by grace. We come into the good of this grace when we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Our efforts to please God do not make us acceptable to Him. Love for God and faith in Him by helpless sinners who He has saved by grace, motivates our love for God and is a constraining love that makes us want to be like our Savior and Lord.
In love, I am to not to do anything that would turn another person aside from their walk of faith in Christ, even if it is weak faith. My liberty in Christ must be used with care so that my walk in the Spirit, and my brother or sister's walk will not in any way be hindered. The challenge is made to those who are strong to consider the convictions of the weak believers as legitimate difficulties. If they were to eat non-kosher food in the presence of a weak Jewish believer, it could have an influence on them to do what their conscience tells them not to do.
The point that is to be made is that those whose faith is strong should consider the sacrificial love of the Lord Jesus Christ for us as our model. He sacrificed His life for us on the cross to save us eternally. That should motivate us to sacrifice some of our personal desires for the benefit of others, with love for them as the force that moves us to do what is right for their good. Otherwise, the blessings of the strong would result in curses for the weak.
The obligations of love means that I do not violate this obligation in order to fulfill my desires above the real need of others. The freedom I have does not give me license to do what I want because the kingdom of God is more important than what I eat or drink. Our will and actions should be dictated to by our compassion and understanding. Lack of love on the part of one person and lack of understanding by the other brings grief to both parties. In unity, we are to accept one another without pushing our opinions or judging each other. Promoting peace, purity, unity and a lively faith, will help us live together in harmonious fellowship.
V.18-20. Constructive conduct is another basic principle in my life in the Lord. When one's walk in serving Christ is pleasing to Him, it will be approved by those around who know a righteous walk when they see it. There is an expectation that believers are righteous in their lives, not just religious professors. Even when those may oppose and persecute, there is an underlying approval. Constructive conduct has a way of building up respect and approval from those who watch the lives of believers with a critical eye. By following hard after peace and hunting it down, will keep me from engaging in on-going differences of opinion that led us nowhere in maintaining good fellowship. To edify another, builds that person up, and will promote strength and spiritual well-being.
I do have to be careful of the consciences of others, not just my own. A fundamental principle of Christian conduct is that I am going to be sensitive to the consciences of other. It is wrong for me to ride rough-shod over what may be important to another person, even though it is of little importance to me. I do not want my brother to have a spiritual fall. I do not want to place a snare in the path of his Christian life and testimony. It is wrong for me to use my liberty in front of him until he can see the value of it himself. So, I may have to wait awhile and be cautious in using the blessing of my liberty until he is taught by the Spirit of God.
Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”