Exhortation to mutual forbearance.
In Romans chapter fourteen, Paul brings us to grips with balancing the response to the objective gospel in conformity with two laws. The first law is the law of personal liberty. Personal liberty does not permit us to do things that are lawful but may have a negative influence on others. The second law is the law of selfless love. The law of selfless love motivates a newborn Christian to sacrifice personal liberty in the interest of the brothers and sisters in Christ. Those guided by the Holy Spirit in conformity with the law of selfless love refrain from actions that may negatively impact others, even if those actions are proper. “Now receive the one who is weak in the faith, and do not have disputes over differing opinions. One person believes in eating everything, but the weak person eats only vegetables.” Romans 141 – 2, NET. A person who is strong in faith may say, in response, that humankind lost paradise by eating the forbidden fruit, not because of eating everything. Paul reminds us that yielded believers are free from the law’s dominion but not from spiritual obligations. Christians have liberty but not a license to live without regard for others.
Paul applies the same principle concerning the days of worship. “One person regards one day holier than other days, and another regards them all alike. Each must be fully convinced in his own mind.” Romans 14:5, NET. In the first century, the Jewish members of the body of Christ maintained that Gentile believers must accept the Seventh day as holier than others. As a result, some of the Gentile believers accepted the seventh day. However, others did not see it as necessary. At the beginning of Christianity, the believers met in the evening of every day. Accordingly, some Gentile believers did not understand why one day would be holier than others. Therefore, Paul insisted that everything must be done with aim to promote unity and harmony among all members of the body of Christ. So, Paul implemented rules that each member of the community of believers must conduct himself in a way that does not negatively impact other members, regardless of personal beliefs and understanding. All people belong to God; therefore, what is done to one of them is done to God.
Continued in the next blog.
