Thursday DIVE – 21September2023

WELCOME and THANKS for joining us, once again.

This is another Thursday DIVE, when we go deeper … looking at some theological concepts, as well as some Biblical concepts.

Tonight, however, is going to be a little different … because we’ll be spending most of the time looking at a Biblical concept — the concept of BIBLICAL NON-JUDGEMENT, which has to do with the idea of not judging others in areas that the Bible does not address directly or clearly – areas where, in most cases, the Bible is silent.

It’s a topic that can be controversial … so we need to begin with prayer.

OPENING PRAYER

The title for tonight’s study:

WHEN IS A “SIN” NOT NECESSARILY A SIN?

Our text will be Romans 14:1-12 (NRSVue)   

Before we look at our text, however … a word about the CONTEXT of our text …

The CONTEXT of Romans 14 

In Romans 14, Paul is writing to a church that is divided and he is telling them that Christians should not endeavor to change one another to suit their preferences, but instead they (“stronger” Christians) should change their conduct so as not to offend “weaker” Christians.

• • • Verses 1-12 deal with our responsibility to respect the convictions (and/or opinions) of one another rather than to revise them.
    • Verses 13-23 instruct us to refrain from exercising our own freedoms when they may/will harm another Christian.

That said, our focus will be on the first portion of Romans 14.  For the sake of our discussion (which will entertain varying views), we’ll look at three versions of our text …

Who are the “weak”?  Why are they considered “weak”?  Note what William Barclay, a Scottish theologian, says in his commentary on ROMANS …

“Such a man is weak in the faith for two reasons:  (i) He has not yet discovered the meaning of Christian freedom; he is at heart still a legalist and sees Christianity as a thing of rules and regulations … and (ii) He has not yet liberated himself from a belief in the efficacy of works.  In his heart, he believes that he can gain God’s favour by doing certain things and abstaining from others.  Basically, he is still trying to earn a right relationship with God, and has not yet accepted the way of grace, still thinking more of what he can do for God than of what God has done for him.“

The church at Rome was arguing about what was being eaten and what days were being observed (Romans 14:1-6), and Paul was inviting them to look past their divisive, either/or thinking to the larger picture of being true to our individual consciences as led by the Holy Spirit.  By understanding how to handle different perspectives, convictions and opinions, we can improve our relationships with one another and create a loving environment in our church home.  One key is to avoid focusing solely on one side of an issue, to the point that we get “stuck,” unable to change and unwilling to hear another point of view.  Hearing does not imply agreeing, it shows honor and respect for another that you are interested in them as a person, and you are desiring to hear a different point of view.  

Some in the church in Rome were committed vegetarians, and others were despising them for their personal conviction (Romans 14:1-4).

We need to consider how we may have fostered judgmental attitudes within our churches over issues that involve personal conviction and personal liberty.

Rather than persuading others to our own point of view, we’re encouraged to think how we can respond in the most loving way toward those who differ from us.

Part of this loving response requires us to approach differences inside and outside the church by embracing paradoxical differences that are part of our human existence.  But how?

• We need to learn how to ask better questions.  Rather than rushing to defend or persuade, we serve others better when we embrace curiosity and assume that others have good reasons, maybe even personal convictions, regarding their choices.  Saying, “Tell me more about that,” is a good start, and learning the skill of reflective listening can help us understand the real issue behind the problem.

Lastly, we must understand why God thinks judgmental attitudes need to be addressed rather than personal practices or choices.

• We are responsible for our own choices and the ways we express our personal convictions and worship of God.  (Romans 14:4, 6, NRSVUE).

God understands our unique wiring and looks at the heart’s intent.

• We belong to God, and our actions are held within the sacrifice of Christ.  (Romans 14:7-9, NRSVUE)

Our unity within the church is not based on personal practices, but rather, on our inclusion in the Triune God relationship.

• Loving acceptance is the answer to the paradoxes we face in human life and relationships, and our response is gratitude and praise to God.   (Romans 14:11, NRSVUE)

Acknowledging the freedom in Christ we have helps us offer others the same freedom and grace to express their love for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We can trust in God’s goodness and grace, knowing that the Holy Spirit is leading each person into greater intimacy with God.

Paul demonstrates in Romans 14:1-12 that judgmental attitudes toward others’ different choices won’t promote the vision God has for humanity.  Loving God and others begins when we work to build loving acceptance of people within our relationships and our church.

Call to Action:  When faced with a conflict at home or work, instead of responding with a black or white answer, consider …

1. first asking God to help you see the person as he sees them – as someone created in his image.
2. Then start by asking the question, “Tell me more,” or, “Help me to understand.”
3. As the person explains, listen quietly, asking God for wisdom, and then practice reflective listening to see if you’ve understood them.
4. If needed, take time to think of a loving response that can address the issue so that all involved feel heard and loved.

This is part of the new commandment, to love others as Jesus loves them.

Appendices    

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

QQQ … from a sermon by Bob Deffinbaugh …

While two Christians may disagree over whether or not a Christian should drink wine or eat only vegetables, no Christian should dispute the fact that lying, stealing, and immorality* are sin.  These are biblical and moral absolutes.  No two Christians should differ over the virgin birth or the deity of Christ, the physical resurrection of our Lord or the substitutionary atonement.  These are doctrinal certainties.

* immorality — including, but not confined to, sexual immorality –>  adultery, homosexuality, LGBT-related activity, fornication, watching pornography, bestiality, etc.

Appendix 3

Paul is not condemning all judgment.

• • Rather, he is dealing with the subject of judging others on non-essential matters.
  • He is arguing against judging others in areas where the Bible gives no commands.

Paul did, at times, pass judgment.

• • Romans 16:17-18 … Paul warned against those who “create dissensions and hindrances”. Verse 18 is based on a judgment.
  • 1 Corinthians 5:1-6 … Paul corrected the Corinthians because they did not judge a man in the church who was sinning blatantly.  Notice vv.3-4a.
  • Galatians 1:6-9 … Paul was not tolerant of the damnable doctrinal error of the Judaizers.

So on moral issues where the Bible gives clear commands or on essential doctrinal truth, we would be wrong not to judge others.

That said, in areas where the Bible gives NO commands, or is not clear, we must be gracious and tolerant with those who differ with us.  We are not to judge them or treat them with contempt.

• What might some of those areas be?
  • What about eating pork, shrimp or crab? (see Romans 14:2)
  • What about going to church services on Sunday/Saturday? (see Romans 14:5)
  • What about drinking wine/beer? (see Romans 14:21)
  • What about dress length?
  • What about body parts exposed?
  • What about voting?
  • What about giving blood?
  • What about taking a vaccination?
  • What about smoking?
  • What about buying CashPot?
  • What about betting on a horse in a race?
  • What about investing in the stock market?

**Editor’s note:  I realize this kind of discussion may be risky … but I’m trusting that we are mature enough to understand that I’m not encouraging anyone to sin.  Notice Hebrews 5:11-14.

• Is any of the following activities sin?

• eating pork, shrimp or crab? (see Romans 14:2)
• giving blood?
• working on Saturday? (see Romans 14:5)
• drinking wine/beer? (see Romans 14:21)
• wearing a short miniskirt?
• voting?
• taking a vaccination?
• smoking?
• betting on a horse in a race?
• buying CashPot?
• What about investing in the stock market?

Is it possible that something can be sinful for one person, but not another (doing the same thing)?

• It depends on how the different persons view sin … what each considers to be sinful.
• It depends on whether they agree on what the Bible says about sin.
• How does a person sin, according to the Bible?

• • 1 John 3:4 … doing what is against the law  … Exodus 20:13-16 …
  • James 4:17 … not doing what is right … Exodus 20:12 …
  • Romans 14:23 … doing what might be sinful, but one is not sure …
    • Colossians 3:15 … “peace of God … in your hearts” = result of a clear conscience

Why would someone not be sure if something is sinful?

• The Bible is silent on the matter.

Why would a person think something is sinful IF the Bible doesn’t say it is?

• Relatives and friends of the person … school … church
• The conscience of the person

CONCLUSION

So,  how do we answer the questions asked earlier …

1. When is a “sin” not necessarily a sin?
2. Can two persons be committing the same act and one be sinning while one is not?

Answers:

1. when the “sin” is not addressed as a sin in the Bible
2. Yes … if one is committing the act with a clear conscience, whereas the other does not.  Put another way, one believes the act is OK because the Bible doesn’t say whether it is wrong or right … and the other believes the act is sinful (or is not sure if it is sinful or not).

• • Romans 14:23 … doing what might be sinful, but one is not sure …
    • Colossians 3:15 … “peace of God … in your hearts” = result of a clear conscience

The POINT:  You could be looking at someone do something and think the person is sinning – because you believe the act is wrong – BUT the person is NOT sinning (because s/he does not believe the act is wrong).

In that case, the following passage is addressed to you …

Romans 14:4-5    Who are you to judge another’s servant?  To his own master he stands or falls.  Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.  ⁵ One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike.  Let each be fully convinced* in his own mind. 

* fully convinced — without any doubt whatsoever

Paul is saying, in effect, that … Since Jesus is Lord and we all will give an account to Him, we must not judge other believers in areas where the Bible gives no commands — in matters that are non-essential.  Leave judgment to God, because He sees the heart (intent); we can’t.