Exhortation to the strong in faith.
“For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. For the one who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by the people.” Romans 14:17 – 18, NERT. All people are brothers and sisters in Christ. All were included in the body of Jesus Christ on the cross at Golgotha. John 12:32. Some are strong in faith, and some are not. Some do not believe it at all. Nevertheless, all belong to God. All have the same responsibility. “Therefore we must not pass judgment on one another, but rather determine never to place an obstacle or a trap before brother or sister.” Romans 14:13, NET.
All actions by the members of the body of Christ must spring from an unwavering commitment to the law of selfless love. Vague and unsupportable suspicions are not a substitute for a clear understanding of issues under consideration. The strong in faith may rely on their knowledge. The weak in faith live by their conscience. Even what the weak in faith adhere to is not wrong for the strong; it is wrong for the weak because of their conscience. Therefore, the strong in faith must respect the conviction of the weak. All members of the body of Christ answer to One God concerning the essential truths of the gospel. Preferences concerning the non-essentials are intertwined with the conscience of individuals. However, members of the body of Christ are not exempt from respect for the organization’s tranquility and order. Apart from that, no member is answerable to an organization in matters of conscience.
All members of the body of Christ are answerable to God for actions that impact other members. “Therefore do not let what you consider good be spoken of as evil.” Romans 14:16, NET. The born-again believers have irrevocable liberty in Jesus Christ. However, Jesus Christ places serious constraints concerning the conduct toward other human beings. Where individuals choose to fellowship, or if they choose not, should not be the criteria concerning the believer’s conduct. These rules apply to administrative actions taken by an organization as well. The body of Christ, the Church, must consider that when it takes administrative action concerning a member, it takes upon itself the prerogatives that belong to God only. No community of believers has the right to arrogate God’s Sovereign privileges to itself.
Continued in the next blog.
