Walk According To Love

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Sean Cavender | Bald Knob, Arkansas

Introduction
The Lord’s church is a tremendous blessing to Christians. Having a sense of community, family, and connectedness encourages people in times of difficulty. However, even in our Lord and Savior’s church, disruptions, disagreements, and arguments can (and will) occur. It would be nice to think the only times Christians engage in a conflict would be over matters of doctrine in defense of the truth. The reality is Christians will succumb to arguing over issues that seem petty. We might rather avoid all kinds of conflict, especially with our brothers and sisters in Christ, but avoidance is usually the worst thing we could do.

Many disagreements over opinions and personal practices can erupt and cause permanent damage. Our love for one another is tested during those periods of conflict. However, the Bible teaches us that love is needed, particularly during the conflict. Let us look at Romans 14 to instruct us on dealing with conflict properly and always walking according to love.

Firmly Held Opinions Can Lead To Disputes

One reason Paul wrote the letter to the church in Rome was to help the church overcome deep-rooted divisions between Jewish and Gentile believers. However, the gospel of Jesus Christ brings unity to these diverse groups (Romans 15:7-12, 27). Overcoming these divisions was essential to help the church in Rome be unified to spread the gospel while also helping resolve tensions because of ethnic diversity and personal practices. Jews and Gentiles commonly held religious opinions that led to vastly different practices. Yet, in such an ethnically diverse place like the city of Rome, the church would have to learn to navigate these tensions and preserve peace and unity.

To understand Romans 14-15, it is helpful to “read it backward,” beginning with Romans 15 and then move back to Romans 14. Chapter 14 is the foundation of Paul’s objective in Romans 15. In chapter 15, Paul wants the brethren in Rome to understand God has called the Jews and Gentiles to be at peace with one another because they have been saved by the gospel of Christ (cf. Romans 1:16). Instead of using the ethnic terms in Romans 14 of “Jew” and “Gentile,” Paul uses the terms “strong” and “weak.” Using the words “strong” and “weak,” Paul shows the roadblocks between brothers and sisters and practices concerning their personal and ethnic opinions. Paul uses two examples to illustrate the ethnic divisions which existed between Christians in Rome: eating meats and keeping of holy days and festivals. The issue of foods (eating certain meats or abstaining from meats) or observance of holy days (Gentile or Jewish) could have become a stumbling block to fellow Christians. Paul shows the gridlock in the church: the strong eat meats and treat all days equally, while the weak abstain from eating and keep certain days above the rest.

Paul’s primary goal in Romans 14 is to help the strong and weak get along. The church should not hold one another in contempt or judge each other — each would be detrimental to the church’s mission of spreading the gospel. Therefore, the strong are not to hold the weak in contempt (Romans 14:3), and the weak are not to judge the strong as guilty of sinning (Romans 14:3).

Critical to understanding this, we must notice how Paul uses terms like “faith,” “strong,” and “weak” in Romans 14. The apostle does not use “faith” regarding belief in the gospel’s fundamental facts, obedience to the gospel, matters of congregational fellowship, etc. Faith, in Romans 14, refers to a personal conviction.

Romans 14:1 (NASB95) Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.

Romans 14:22-23 (NASB95) The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

Even though this passage is speaking of differences between brethren, it is an abuse of this text to argue that any dispute between Christians is just a matter of opinion. There are moral and ethical behaviors that affect our relationship with God and our fellowship with the local church (Romans 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13). Furthermore, there is a pattern for the work of the church to which we must all submit (Hebrews 8:5; Philippians 3:17). Also, teachings by Jesus and the apostles cannot be changed, such as what Jesus says about marriage and divorce (Matthew 19:9; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11). We must remain firm and steadfast on matters of truth, and we cannot change those teachings to maintain fellowship with those in error.

Paul wants Christians to move beyond gridlock and disagreement, and he wants Christians to understand God’s perspective on these issues. God accepts the strong and weak Christian (Romans 14:3). He makes both groups stand (Romans 14:4). And the Lord will judge both groups (Romans 14:10-12). When steeped in disputes about our opinions, we might not be able to see as God sees. We may see two very different sides, but God sees His people bickering and fighting.

Romans 14 is not about categorizing yourself, or others, as “strong” or “weak.” When we begin to classify ourselves, we naturally tend to place ourselves in the “strong” category and the person we are disputing with in the “weak” group. Romans 14 lays out impartial truths we must come to realize, primarily while engaged in conflict with fellow Christians: the strong and weak are both convinced they are right (Romans 14:5); both are incredibly committed to the Lord (Romans 14:6); and both belong to the Lord because the Lord died for both groups (Romans 14:8-9).

It is easy to approach Romans 14 and assign some Christians as “strong” and others as “weak.” I can imagine what it might have been like if Paul had preached Romans 14 as a sermon. Comments from a “strong” Christian might have been like this: “That’s exactly right, Paul. The weak are just holding us back and tying us down, and we have to accommodate them all of the time. It’s so tiresome!” Then the “weak” Christian comes to Paul: “Paul, you really told them! Those strong brothers are not valuing our opinions and our questions about this stuff. Thank you for helping them understand.” When we think of Romans 14 as a method to categorize Christians, we end up in a roadblock!

God sees one group — the church for which Christ died to save all of its members from their sins. Nevertheless, when people hold strong yet different opinions, it can lead to disputes and division that can never be overcome. 

Perhaps there has never been a time of such great debate and division among different-minded Christians as the present. Churches have not escaped the pressures of dealing with a worldwide pandemic, like Covid-19. Dealing with the pandemic has created tension among sincere and devoted Christians. We have debated back and forth over the benefits or dangers of wearing masks; there have been racial divisions and disputes and political division. Christians argue over whether it is safe and healthy to assemble. I don’t bring any of these subjects up to take a side or further any divide. The opposite is my goal. I want to see Christians realize we must work to overcome these questions that may divide us! If Christ’s kingdom is seen clearly in this world, unity and peace must be our goal (Romans 14:17).

Unity Must Overcome Division

Since we have established that Romans 14 is primarily about bringing Christians together, helping them move beyond division over matters of personal opinions, how will unity prevail?

1. We must walk according to love (Romans 14:15)

Love is the rule that we must follow. Love is not selfish and focused on self-promotion. Instead, love is the commitment of our hearts and mind upon what is pure, good, and holy (Romans 12:9). Love thinks about others first and treats other people as God wants them to be treated (Romans 12:16; 13:8-10). Paul says, “love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10) because love expresses itself through submission and obedience to God. And many of the commands God gives us have to do with how we treat one another. One reason that theft is sinful is because it does not act out of love and concern for the one from whom we steal. Thievery is motivated by selfishness. Any sin could be plugged into this equation, and the result is the same. Sin is the expression of hate, not love. Gossip, deceit, lies, and arrogance are all contrary to love. Paul lists those who are “unloving” in the same list as sins such as homosexuality and murder (Romans 1:31). If we truly love our brothers and sisters in Christ, then we must walk according to love. Promote others and encourage them. Listen to them, even when you may disagree. Learning to walk in love is the first step toward unity.

2. We must have “kingdom” focus (Romans 14:17)

It is easy to get so caught up in a debate that we believe it is our mission and purpose to correct every opinion contrary to our own. Don’t believe me? Check social media, and you will see people disagreeing with other people’s views while vindicating their own. It is time for a reality check — the kingdom of God is more significant and much more important than our Facebook squabbles! The kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace, and joy. The kingdom of God should not be divided by doubtful disputes; instead, the kingdom should be what blazes the trail of unity, peace, and joy! It is our responsibility to live in harmony with all people (Romans 12:18). If peace is not possible, then it better not be due to our lack of effort. How much better would our life be if we focused on the kingdom of God? However, we tend to lose focus on God’s kingdom amid the affairs of this world and the various conflicts we face. Our focus must be on doing God’s will and helping others see the will of God done on earth as it is in heaven. Doing the will of God, living righteously, and being at peace with one another is what kingdom focus is all about.

3. We must build up other Christians (Romans 14:20)

One of the many dangers we encounter in disputes with brothers and sisters in Christ is that we may end up tearing each other down. Paul warns, “Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food” (Romans 14:20). The work of God is your brothers and sisters in Christ for whom Christ died (Romans 14:8-9). While engaged in debate with others, our perspective would change if we thought less about winning the argument over opinions and considered that Jesus died for our brothers and sisters. When we continuously gripe at each other, it will lead to disputes. Paul says biting one another through verbal attacks causes us to be consumed and destroyed (Galatians 5:15). Controversies have a way of discouraging people, even people who are not directly involved in the dispute. However, Christians must make it their mission to build one another up, not tear each other down. When we are patient with one another, it helps us focus on encouraging our brethren and building up each other. One way we edify each other is through worship. When we worship, especially in our prayers and songs, it strengthens us and gives us joy. Singing is a way we speak to each other to teach and edify (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). When we study from God’s word, it builds up our faith in God and His promises and helps us trust Him more each day.

Conclusion

When we walk according to love, it will produce righteousness, joy, and peace in the kingdom of Christ. Loving each other will build up those who may be weak in faith. Love leads to worship and praise to God. There may be times we feel like we are divided into the “strong” and “weak,” but we must remember God sees one body, the church. He expects us to show our godly attitudes and love toward each other, ultimately binding us together in unity. Unity will be impossible if we do not walk according to the principle of love.

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October 2020 | GROW magazine