CHAPTER 14

1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

The term "weak in the faith", here, is not necessarily referring to being unsaved.
It is referring to a new person in the faith.

New Christians often have insecurities concerning certain parts of the faith.
For instance, in one place God says NOT to eat the pig. (Leviticus 11:4)
But, in another place, God says to eat what He has sanctified. (Acts 11:10-15)

Older Christians are to receive these affectionately, and speak gently with them.
To speak harshly about their insecurties, with "doubtful disputations," may alienate them from the fellowship.
But to be loving and kind will help them to learn and grow.

2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Remember, any person who has surrendered to the Lordship of Christ, "God hath received him."

Therefore, whatever insecurities they may have about certain foods is contained in their own personal relationship with Christ.

Let us not "judge", krino (call in question, or have a condemning attitude).
Rather, let us encourage them, in the Lord, to also accept others regardless of which things they partake.
See (1Corinthians 10:20-32).

4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

This, I believe, speaks two-fold.

First, it speaks to condemning another person when he/she is under the control of another.
For instance, if the boss says one must work on Sunday; how shall a different person condemn him for following orders?

Second, it speaks to condemning another Christian for his/her actions concerning Christ.
It is to Christ, that person either is held up or fails.
If his conduct is approved by the Lord, then he shall be held up.
If his conduct is not approved by the Lord, the Lord shall chastise.

It is not our place to condemn a person if he eats swine flesh or works on Sunday!
That is GOD'S place!
Do not attempt to sit in God's place!!

And, we must remember, if the person is genuinely saved, God will KEEP that person!
(See John 10:29, and Philippians 1:6).

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

Some Christians respect certain holidays.
Some Christians respect certain foods.
As long as they "regard(eth) it unto the Lord," no one is to condemn or demean them for it.

However, "none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself."
We are all witnesses to others!
Therefore let us exhibit respect toward others in how we regard or disregard certain things!

LIVE and DIE for the glory of "the LORD!"
For, we DO belong to HIM!

9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

WOW!
What a statement!!
I could preach on these verses all day!!

Through His life, death, resurrection and ascension Jesus PROVED He is LORD of ALL!
He is Lord of those who are "dead in trespasses and sin!" (Ephesians 2:1)
He is Lord of those who are "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." (Ephesians 1:13)

And, NONE shall escape "the judgment seat of Christ!"

There is coming a day when ALL who have EVER lived will stand before Christ!
From the beginning of time to the end of time, EVERY human will stand before Christ for judgment!!

Then, the "sheep" will be separated from the "goats". (See Matthew 25:32-46)
The sheep, who have surrendered to Christ, will be judged for the things they did or did not do for His glory.
(See 1Corinthians 3:12-15)
The goats will be judged for being rebellious and not having surrendered to Christ. (See Revelation 21:8)

Jesus is LORD, "both of the dead and living!!"
He is able to raise the dead and bring eternal judgment!

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Psalm 72:11 and Philippians 2:10 and Revelation 20:812-13 confirm that EVERY soul who has ever lived will face Jesus for judgment!

And, every Christian will "give an account" to God for the manner in which he/she has lived.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

But "judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."
Or, instead of judging someone else because of how he eats, or drinks, or which day he considers,
judge YOURSELF!
Do not offer rash or harsh opinions, because that may harm the cause of Christ!

Think of it this way: if a Christian deems something unclean to him, then it would hurt his conscience to partake of it.
And, if a Christian deems something clean to him, your opinion of it being unclean may harm the relationship between you two.
That will deter the ongoing work of the Lord!

And, if a "brother" is offended by your partaking of something he feels unclean; do not partake of it in his presence.

We must all remember, Christ died for ALL of us.

16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

My good and right may be "evil spoken of" if it is forced upon someone else.
We are indeed free from the ceremonial law.
Yet we tend to consider our own ideas of what to eat, how to dress, and what things we do in church as right.
Keep in mind, it may not be right for the other person!

Some people believe that a man should be dressed for church so that nothing shows but his hands and head.
Some folk believe that a woman should be clothed for church with dress that extends from her feet to her neck.
There's nothing wrong with believing that.
Yet to forcefully proclaim this with an abusive tone is to TREAD on the liberty of others. And this type forceful proclamation may cause their "good (to) be evil spoken of!"

What IS right: "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
No matter what else we may do, these determine the character of the Christian:
To LIVE in righteousness, to PURSUE peace with all men, and to have JOY knowing the presence of God's Spirit!
See Hebrews 12:14

19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

There are three general purposes for church:
1) Glorify Christ,
2) Bring the lost TO Christ,
3) Educate the saved so they can bring MORE to Christ!

We accomplish those best when we "edify," or encourage one another!

Let us remember we are His "workmanship, created IN Christ Jesus FOR good works!"(Eph. 2:10)

20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Again, "all things indeed are pure" when taken by giving thanks to the Lord. (See Acts 10:9-15)

We are free in Christ to partake; but we must not utilize our liberty in those things if it will cause a brother to stumble or be offended.

The BEST way to be sure you never become an alcoholic is to never drink.
The BEST way to be sure you never become addicted to drugs is to never try them.

22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

If you have faith that you can partake of all meats and drinks, keep it to yourself.
It is between you and the Lord.
Do not try to impose that same belief upon someone else!

BECAUSE, the person who eats or drinks and doesn't believe it proper condemns himself, and it becomes sin to him.

Back when there were no blood pressure pills, the doctor prescribed my wife's grandmother 4oz. of wine each evening.
She was a deacon's wife and did not believe in drinking.
But her family convinced her it was right, and she would live longer.
Each night, when we administered the dosage, she would say, "PLEASE don't let anyone know I'm drinking this!"
She did not have the faith that it was permissable, and she condemned herself for taking the "medicine."
Well, she lived past 100 years of age!
But, I'm not sure she ever forgave herself.

The point of this whole chapter is that you, as a born-again Christian, have liberty in Christ.
And, all things are pure.
But, we are not to impose our liberty upon someone else.
Neither are we to condemn another for partaking of a liberty which we feel is wrong.
INSTEAD, we are to promote the cause of Christ, and strive to live in harmony with our brethren!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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