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?
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