City Life Starter

I. The Word: Romans 14:19-23

19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

II. Study Questions

1. What are the key words in verse 19 and why is it important?

2. Consider following statement, “The Work of God, according to Paul, is what God has accomplished on the cross for both the weak and strong believers.”  Why is it dangerous to consider one above or superior to the other?

3. What are some non-negotiable tenets of faith and why is it important?

Paul concluded in previous chapters the theme of freedom and moves on with describing love and the reverent use of freedom and building the church in love.  In verse 19, key words here are “peace” and “edification.”  Paul’s intention is to have his readers understand these words and to be seen as active rather than passive.  Paul desires Romans to pursue peace and edification in the Roman church.  Paul repeats his thoughts (v. 14) in verse 20, but the tone changes to second person and intensifies it, “Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.”  The emphasis is on “destroy” and it is stands against Paul’s previous thought which is contrary to “edification.”

The Work of God, according to Paul, is what God has accomplished on the cross for both the weak and strong believers.  If when strong believers mistakenly believe that their freedom is the superior and final then for weaker believers (i.e. food, drink, entertainment, etc…) it violates the law of love and to establish self-righteousness that leads to legalism against those who do not abide in their freedom.

I would like to thank all the contributors this week who have taken their time to share the importance of having the proper approach to our freedom in Christ and also pointing out the dangers of legalism.  It is encouraging to know that we, City Life Church, stand in agreement with this important issue.

This does not mean we don’t care about you or the way you conduct yourself, for we are Christians, the moment we confess that Jesus is our Lord, obedience to His Word is our expression of love to Him.  As Pastor Chris mentioned this week, there are a number of beliefs that are non-negotiable, such as doctrine of infallibility of Word of God, Trinity, etc.  But there are others that we have liberty to disagree and debate.  We believe in the freedom that we have in Jesus Christ, but we are not the ones who abuse or take advantage of the freedom that has been given to us.  Our lives are no longer our own, but belong to the One who saved us.  We choose each day to be obedient to the One who saved us, and our expression of love to the One who saved us is obedience to His Word.  It is justification by faith in Christ alone, sanctification by the working of the Holy Spirit and hope of glorification in eternal life with God.  JY