SPECIAL TOPIC: CHRISTIAN FREEDOM vs. CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHRISTIAN FREEDOM VS. CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY
(from Rom. 14:1-15:13)

A. Romans 14:1-15:13 try to balance the paradox of Christian freedom and
responsibility. The literary unit runs from Rom. 14:1-15:13.

B. The problem which precipitated this chapter was possibly the
tension between Gentile and Jewish believers in the church of Rome. Before
conversion the Jews tended to be legalistic and the pagans tended to be immoral.
Remember, this is addressed to sincere followers of Jesus. This chapter
does not address carnal believers. The highest motive is
ascribed to both groups. There is danger in the extremes on both sides. This
discussion is not a license for nit-picking legalism or flaunting liberality.

C. Believers must be careful not to make their theology or ethics the standard
for all other believers (cf. 2 Cor. 10:12). Believers must walk in the
light they have but understand that their theology is not automatically God’s
theology. Believers are still affected by sin. We must encourage, exhort, and
teach one another from the Scriptures, reason, and experience, but always in
love. The more one knows the more one knows he/she does not know (cf. 1 Cor. 13:12)!

D. One’s attitude and motives before God are the real keys in
evaluating a Christian brother/sister’s actions. Christians will stand before Christ to be judged on
how they treated one another (cf. Acts 15:10,12 and 2 Cor. 5:10).

E. Martin Luther said, “A Christian man is a most free Lord of all,
subject to none; the Christian man is a most dutiful servant of all, subject to
all.” Biblical truth is often presented in a tension-filled paradox (see
SPECIAL TOPIC: PARADOX
IN SCRIPTURE).

F. This difficult but crucial subject is dealt with in the entire
literary unit of Romans 14:1-15:13 and also in 1 Corinthians 8-10 and Colossians
2:8-23.

G. However, it needs to be stated that pluralism among sincere
believers is not a bad thing. Each believer has strengths and weaknesses. Each
must walk in the light he/she has, always open to the Spirit and the Bible for
more light. In this period of seeing through a glass darkly (1 Cor. 13:8-13) one
must walk in love (Acts 15:15), and peace (Acts 15:17,19) for mutual edification.

Our differences as believers are
God’s open door for different unbelievers to find forgiveness and restoration in
Christ. Christian pluralism, within biblical bounds, is a good thing for
evangelism!

H. The titles “stronger” and “weaker” which Paul gives to these groups
prejudices them to us. This was certainly not Paul’s intent. Both groups were
sincere believers. We are not to attempt to mold other Christians into
ourselves! We accept one another in Christ!

I. The entire argument could be outlined as

1. accept one another because God accepts us in Christ (Rom. 15:14:1,3; 15:7)

2. do not judge one another because Christ is our only Master and Judge (cf.
Rom. 14:3-12)

3. love is more important than personal freedom (cf. Rom. 14:13-23)

4. follow Christ’s example and lay down your rights for others’ edification and
good (cf. Rom. 15:1-13)