Grow With Pastor Joe

During World War II, the Americans had to travel by mass produced ships in both the Atlantic and Pacific to get to their place of landing, fighting, and liberating through hard fought battles to come. The journey in the Atlantic was a particularly difficult task as many ships had been attacked by German U-boats. To help strengthen the fleets of ships they would travel together in mass as opposed to faster ships going at their own pace. What would often happen is that ships with faster capabilities would slow down to travel at the pace of the slower vessels. This offered protection from the U-boats which hunted easy prey in the open waters. Throughout Romans 14, we have seen that Paul is addressing the issues of Christian liberty and the love that believers should exercise it with. Many stronger believers that Paul is addressing have faster capabilities but are being told to throttle down to strengthen the weaker brothers. If Christians are vessels on the seas of this world, we see that we are headed toward battles, but there is danger along the way. Not only do we have the danger of our enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil; but we also have the danger of getting ahead of our weaker brethren who can’t keep up with the liberty that many of us are able to enjoy in Christ. So, what do we do? We have been commanded to power down for the sake of others so that we would not cause hurt or harm to their spiritual health. Think of it this way, the Apostle Paul was a pastor, an under shepherd over the flock of God. He had to set the pace for the flock just as a shepherd of literal sheep would have to. It is better to keep the flock in unity at a slow pace than to needlessly lose sheep who can’t keep up with the stronger, or more liberated sheep.

            Remember, the issues of Christian liberty deal with our personal convictions and preferences. These are not issues of precepts or principles of doctrine. These are not sinful or moral issues. The things that were causing division (and still do today) were minor and non-essential issues. What was happening then is what is happening now. Believers don’t know what Christian liberty is or how to biblically, humbly, and faithfully exercise for the good of others and the glory of Christ. Many believe that Christian liberty is just for our enjoyment, but it is also for the edification of others. With all of the misunderstandings and lack of discernment (both doctrinal and practical) there are many believers who have grown to be unsure in their Christian walk. Being unsure of the practical implications of the gospel, grace, and glory of Christ leads believers to be uneasy when confronted with differences, no matter how minor they may be. This often leads to them being unsettled in their own conscience, convictions, and connection with others. If not dealt with then they can become unstable in their ways, running to extremes of exercising their liberty and love in Christ. Sadly, many then slip into being unhealthy in their liberty and communion with Christ. Many Christians have been undone because of their understanding and application of Christian liberty.

            What is Christian liberty? Christian liberty is the freedom that Christ has obtained that liberates the believer from their sin and gives the freedom to be son and servant in the kingdom of God. It is the freedom to freely pursue what pleases God. True Christian freedom is experienced by being bound by faith to Christ and His Church. The sinner without Christ isn’t free though he does as he pleases. The saint who is bound eternally to Christ is truly free because he can do what pleases the Lord. True Christian liberty is being so free that we can lay down our freedom or liberty and exercise love for our weaker brethren. Christian liberty is the freedom to embrace our weakness and our weaker brothers so that we might know the strength of Christ in our life. Ultimate freedom is having the freedom to not use your freedom. As Paul continues to discuss the issues of Christian liberty, he now expresses the idea that the stronger who can enjoy their liberty should understand that their freedom can and should be laid down for the benefit of our weaker brothers. Today, we will cover Rom. 14:19-23 which says, “¹⁹ Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 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. 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.” The liberated Christian is motivated by the gospel, grace, and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. They simply want to live by faith to be “acceptable to God, and approved of men.” Today we will see that true freedom in Christ is harmonious, humble, and holy.

            First, we must see that true Christian liberty is harmonious. Rom. 14:19 says, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” If the exercise of your liberty causes needless or hurtful division with another brother or the whole of the local church, then the problem lies with you, not the weaker brother. Each believer is united to Christ and the church. You and I are members of a greater Body with Christ as the head. We must consider the whole of Romans as we approach this new “therefore” that causes us to pause before proceeding. Because of my union with Christ and His Church I must live in harmonious communion, especially with weaker brothers. There are a couple of things that we need to notice. One, the harmony of our liberty. To sing in harmony means that you sing different notes than those around you, but you sing the same singular song. Harmony compliments those around you as opposed to seeking to stand out from the group. If I care more about my Christian liberty than my brother then I won’t be creating harmony. We are to pursue peace with our fellow members. To “follow after” is the word “dioko” which means to run swiftly in pursuit to acquire or even to hunt down to capture. It is in the present tense showing us that this is to be the habitual lifestyle of the believer. We should be in hot pursuit of harmony with other believers, even at the expense of the personal exercise of our own stronger liberties that we are free to enjoy. All throughout the practical section of Romans we are reminded that the Christian life isn’t about the Christian. It is about Christ’s glory and the church’s good. We are to pursue peace. Peace is the word “eirene” which means to bind together what was separated. This is the opposite of the division that was taking place in the church over these non-essential issues. Those who seek peace when it comes to the issues of our liberty are willing to offer grace through humility as opposed to being hypercritical or hypocritical in guilting a weaker brother causing the division or perhaps even the weaker to stumble in their walk. Two, notice the health of our liberty. Being “stronger” in your liberty doesn’t mean that you are a healthier believer. If you are more in pursuit of enjoying your freedom than you are in building the body, then you are not as spiritually healthy as you think. Those who are spiritually healthy seek the spiritual health of others. The word “edify” is the word “oikodome” which comes from “oikos” (home) and “dema(o)” (build). The idea to edify then means to build up a home or house in which to dwell. For many, their home is a place of peace and rest. As it should be. There are some essentials in building a home. You need land, a foundation, then you need framework etc. long before you add decorations or move in. Christ is our foundation; He is the cornerstone. He is the Head of the Body. Everything in the life of the believer, especially when it comes to our individual liberties is built upon the gospel, grace, and glory of Christ. Outside of that, the rest doesn’t matter nearly as much. Paul uses the idea of the church being a building in Eph. 2:19-22 and then calls us to be joined together in our harmonious unity in Christ in Eph. 4:1-16. True Christian liberty is focused on the harmony and health of the body of Christ or “house of God” if you will than one’s own personal happiness. Christian freedom is pleased by what pleases God and what pleases Him is that we would exercise our liberty and love harmoniously with Christ and others in Him. If the exercise of my liberty doesn’t lift up Christ and the Church, then it needs to be brought low. This brings us to our second point.

            Second, we must see that true Christian liberty is humble. If the exercise of your liberty lifts up you or your flesh while bringing weaker brothers lower than the sin is on your part. Our liberty must be exercised in a lowly humble mind that is renewed by the gospel, grace, and glory of Christ for the good of His Church (See Rom. 12:1-3). Rom. 14:20-21 says, “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.” Christian liberty must be humble in its exercise because it must be regulated by the Lord and our love for Christ and others. It is the love of Christ that constrains us to be controlled by the Spirit, not the flesh that wars against it. Personal pride and preferences not only lead to the fall of many individuals, but it leads to the fall of many local churches as weaker brothers are shattered by overzealous believers. What Paul is saying in these two verses is that we must be humble in the exercise of our liberty because something as minor as what touches our lips (meat, flesh, wine) should not hinder our love for other believers even, and especially, if they are weaker in their Christian liberty. If you have to flaunt it, then it is your flesh that you are boasting in. Humble yourself because you will give account to God (Rom. 14:5-12). The issues of Christian liberty should “destroy not the work of God.” The word “destroy” is the word “kataluo” which means to undo a work or unloosen something that was fastened. “Kataluo” is used literally of destroying, demolishing or dismantling an edifice (building or beliefs) as seen in Mt 24:2, 26:61, 27:40, Mk 13:2, Acts 6:14 as used regarding the Temple in Jerusalem. Once again, Paul reiterates that nothing is unclean in its essence, yet it can be esteemed as evil or unclean to the weaker brother with a deep conviction to avoid a particular meat or drink. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day struggled with His ability to enjoy food and drink with sinners. Because Jesus feasted and drank wine with sinners, He was accused of being a “glutton and winebibber” from His opponents (Lk. 7:29-35). When it comes to Christian liberty, we must approach it and apply it with humility so as to be “acceptable to God, and approved of men.” While the Bible gives the liberty or allowance for alcohol consumption it comes with many warnings. The Bible speaks of wine as something that was, is, and will be used by even the righteous as a representation of God’s blessing (Ps. 104:15; Isa. 55:1; Mt. 26:29). Not to mention, in the very establishment of the New Testament in Christ there is both bread and wine present. Remember Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding at Cana? This miracle was done to show the blessings of God in the New Covenant in Christ’s blood and that those who belong to His kingdom will enjoy fullness of the fruit of faith in the faithfulness of God. However, the Bible also warns against the abuse of alcohol in Pr. 20:1; 23:30-31. Furthermore, Eph. 5:15-18 gives us the right perspective and principles of how to humbly exercise our Christian liberty when it says, “¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, ¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” You can’t be controlled by spirits (alcohol etc.) and the Holy Spirit at the same time. Paul knew and enjoyed His freedom in Christ, especially with the strict pharisaical background from which he came. However, even Paul addressed that we should humbly forgo our “rights” for the good of others and sake of the gospel. He covers this thoroughly in 1 Cor. 8-9 where he concludes that it is better to not exercise his personal liberty in front of a weaker brother and that the good of others and furtherance of the gospel is more important than insisting to exercise our Christian liberty. Let me illustrate. Imagine you and a new believer go to an unbeliever’s home for dinner. The unbelieving host boasts in how delicious this wonderful meal will be which is coming from the pagan markets with the meat before you being cheaply bought after it was offered to idols. You are strong and free in Christ to eat and enjoy the meal. Yet, your weaker brother is appalled and can’t bring himself to eat the meat. So, what do you do? Do you refuse to eat the meat and offend the unbelieving host or do you eat the meat because you are free to do so but cause division or even destroy your brother? Answer: offend the pagan and humbly forgo your freedom for the benefit of your weaker brother. While Christ has liberated us and our riches in Him are limitless, yet still our Christian liberty has limits. It is regulated by our love for Christ and one another. Because I love Christ, it is better to abstain than cause pain. It is better to let go of my liberty and exercise love and humility for my brother. It is better for me to enjoy my liberty in private without the danger of offending a weaker brother than it is to insist on using my liberty in front of them. Let your convictions be yours. This is seen in the very next verses as well. We will never truly honor Christ or help the health of the church without exercising humility and harmony in our Christian liberty. We should humbly consider what Paul practiced in his own Christian liberty. 1 Cor. 16:12 says, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” Then Paul says in 1 Cor. 8:1,12-13, “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. ¹² But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. ¹³ Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”

            Third, we must see that true Christian liberty is holy. Rom. 14:22-23 says, “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.” The exercise of Christian liberty is motivated and moved by faith, not the flesh. It is motivated and moved by the gospel, grace, and glory of Christ for the good of other believers. We are to be fully persuaded of our personal convictions, but we don’t need to convert others to our convictions. We must be conformed to Christ. The Christian life of sanctification is holiness. Holiness is Christ being formed in us by the work of the Spirit and Word of God. Those who abuse their Christian liberty and cause others to stumble often believe that holiness is legalism. It ain’t. Holiness is the goal for the Christian life. It shouldn’t be viewed as optional or opposed to our Christian liberty. Think of your liberty this way, if it ain’t holy, then it ain’t healthy. When in doubt spit it out, sit it out, get out, or stomp it out. If you have to worry or wonder if what you are doing is contrary to God’s will then it may be best to abstain altogether. While I believe that a lot of things are “allowed” I do believe that a lot of things we should still abstain from in order to promote unity in the church and to further the gospel with a holy testimony for Christ. The flesh will always try to justify its lustful actions and attitudes. The Spirit teaches, convicts, corrects, and guides us into holiness. Whatever in your life that is not holy is done by your flesh, it is not the work of the Spirit. Notice though the key, “for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” If I can’t do it in faith unto the glory of Christ, then I shouldn’t do it. That’s the litmus test. If I couldn’t do it with Jesus standing there then it ought not be done. If I can’t lift it up as an offering to God, then it is an idol. Faith is the Christian life from start to finish. Rom. 1:16-17 says, “¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” To violate faithfulness to God is to commit sin against Him and our brothers. There are only two ways of doing anything in life; either it is done by the flesh, or it is done in faith. It can’t be both. It is one or the other. Our faith is sure and settled, therefore, if we are living by faith we don’t have to wonder if something is pleasing to God. The believer who has the indwelling Holy Spirit can recognize holiness and unholiness from a mile away. Be sensitive to the Spirit and scriptures.

            To bring this to a close we have to see that true freedom is harmonious, humble, and holy. If it is only for my personal good or gain, but it hurts the growth of my brother then it isn’t right or helpful. If I have a doubt about it, then I don’t have liberty. 2 Cor. 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” If the Holy Spirit didn’t lead you to do it then you don’t have the liberty to do it. True Christian liberty finds freedom in not grieving the Spirit and grieving our weaker brothers. If you can’t exercise your liberty without offense, then are you really free? If you have something in your life that controls you other than the Holy Spirit, then are you truly free? True freedom in Christ faithfully seeks to live in harmony with those in Christ with whom we may disagree or maybe they are the “slower/weaker vessel” in the formation. True freedom in Christ is humble. It loves and does not flaunt or boast through insistence of their “rights.” True freedom is holy and pleasing to God. Are we free enough in Christ to be bound to Jesus and our weaker brother? May we have this attitude that has been preached by many, “in essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”