The Removal of Romans 14:22

mfblume · #1 07-11-2009, 01:25 PM

Romans 14:21-22 KJV 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. (22) Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

Romans 14:22 says that if there is something you truly see nothing wrong with, and it is not sin and it is not spoken against in the bible, then you can have liberty to enjoy it to yourself. In other words, do not do it around those who think it is sinful.

This does not condone sin of any kind, obviously. But there are things like certain standards that are not laid out in the bible that some believe are not required of God while others think they are.

I know folks in a church who have to sign a paper for membership now, that lists all the things they cannot do. The paper distinctly says that it does not matter where they are, they are told they cannot do these restrictions. Facial hair is mentioned, and even during the week when one is not around church, the men must always be clean shaven. Paul said just the opposite. If a person does not feel something is incorrect, then they are given the liberty to enjoy it so long as they do not do so around those who disagree with it.

Now, some may try to use this to condone sin, but also some may think something is a sin that is not said to be sin, and think others who disagree it is sin will use this verse to sin. The bottom line is that if one is sincere, and they prayerfully see no error in a thing, then simply enjoy it without the presence of those who do see error.

Romans 14:22 is removed from the lives of folks who have to sign such papers and agree to such conditions. They do not have the chance to fulfill that verse. Paul gave people this liberty that some churches are removing from people's lives.

Anyone else know what I mean?

jaxfam6 · #2 07-11-2009, 01:29 PM

i understand what you are saying

mfblume · #3 07-11-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxfam6

i understand what you are saying

What is your opinion of this issue?

I preached this once, and a woman came up to me after service and said she was just thinking that very week how she knows of no preachers who will preach that verse. She said they all avoid it. lol

Sam · #4 07-11-2009, 01:51 PM

I'm never quite sure how to comply with Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 8, and 1 Corinthians 10 which all seem to be joined in my mind.

These passages seem to teach that we (Christians) will not all agree on what things are wrong and what things are OK for us to do. There will be differences of opinion. Each of us should respect the opinion of others. None of us should do things that cause others to stumble. But, how far do we go with this.

Take alcohol for example. The way I understand the Bible, alcohol in moderation is OK and drunkenness is not. It would be OK then for a Christian to drink alcohol as long as it is in moderation. Some Christians think that drinking any alcohol at all is a sin. I know of a couple of pastors who used to meet and discuss their ministry (one reported to the other in that local church organization) over a couple of beers. This was not a problem for either one of them. That would be a problem for some others though.

In order to comply with the Word, is it wrong for these ministers to drink any alcohol since some of their brothers or sisters think it is wrong?

Should these ministers abstain from all alcohol use because others may think it is wrong?

Should these ministers go ahead and drink together but not offer a drink to someone who thinks it is wrong? Or should they not drink at all when in the presence of someone who thinks it is wrong?

This same question could apply to nicotine or caffein use, or to eating meat vs. vegetarianism, or to keeping a sabbath, or to the wearing of certain colored clothing and many other things.

jaxfam6 · #5 07-11-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfblume

What is your opinion of this issue?

I preached this once, and a woman came up to me after service and said she was just thinking that very week how she knows of no preachers who will preach that verse. She said they all avoid it. lol

Lets just say that I have been living my life that way for the past several years. =) Think that will explain what I think about it.

*AQuietPlace* · #6 07-11-2009, 01:33 PM

I understand and agree.

But what about if someone from church sees you during the week with your stubble and is offended?

mfblume · #7 07-11-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

I understand and agree.

But what about if someone from church sees you during the week with your stubble and is offended?

Good question.

I think intention is a point to consider. We cannot live in paranoia. We have not disobeyed scripture to refrain while around others who disagree if we did not intend such a thing to happen. Some things are unavoidable, and we simply must abandon them totally. But it can get to a choice of whether we want to be involved with some churches.

I also think the issue regards offending someone as to to actually offend. OFFEND means to actually cause to stumble, and move someone towards losing salvation.

Pressing-On · #8 07-11-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfblume

I also think the issue regards offending someone as to to actually offend. OFFEND means to actually cause to stumble, and move someone towards losing salvation.

Interesting. I made that same point on a previous thread some time back and no one agreed with me.