Transformational Graciousness

Transformational Graciousness

Romans 14:1-15:5 Emmanuel Christian Church 10.1.23

INTRODUCTION: Graciousness has all but vanished from current culture. Why? I would suggest, it’s because of our increasingly secular culture. Graciousness is a decidedly Christian virtue. As Christian virtues recede- so does graciousness.

Graciousness is powerful- especially now, given its increasing rarity. It is the ultimate transformative power of God toward us. Having been transformed by God’s graciousness toward us, God commands us to be gracious toward others- especially our brothers and sisters in the faith.

All of us are at different levels of spiritual maturity. Some are well advanced in their faith, while others are just getting started in the growth process- sometimes even struggling in their faith walk.

In response to this, an amazing (and decidedly un-Christian) attitude has been known to arise within the church from time to time. It is characterized by the attitudes of judgmentalism, legalism and gracelessness.

PROPOSITION: In addressing this problem, Paul lays it on the line by calling each of us to be people characterized by graciousness and acceptance.

Romans 14:1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2 One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Romans 14:5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord

and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

I. Accept The Weak (vs.1-9 Paul mentions several issues.) A. The “food” issue

1. The ‘strong” are omnivorous, while the “weak” are vegetarians.

2. This was apparently not a simple dietary choice, but rather a choice based upon some perceived requirement from God.

3. Paul argues that acceptance is two-way street to be practiced by both the strong and the weak in this matter of dietary choice.

APPLICATION: Paul is not arguing for a “live and let live”, “anything goes” approach to conduct and the Christian faith.

The key to his argument is to be found in the fact that the grace he advocates is to be exercised in regard to disputable matters. In this case, it was primarily about food. Now, in the instance of clearly stated moral issues, God actually calls us to judge those within the Church. Paul makes this point when he writes to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 5:12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”

We ought to remind ourselves that we are a people who have committed to speak where the Scripture speaks and to practice gracious freedom of opinion where the Scripture is silent or allows.

B. Next, there was the “holy day” issue...
1. One man sees a particular day as extra-holy while another

views every day alike (could it not be that the “every day

alike” man sees them ALL as holy?).
2. Like the food issue, this one seems to be a hold-over for

those who had come out of the Old Covenant system with

its many restrictions. For those transitioning from the Jewish system to the freedom found in Christ- these issues shook the very foundations of their lives.

APPLICATION: It’s always easier to live life by a set of established rules (it removes much of the work of moral reasoning).

One mark of maturity is to be found in the development of self-control in the midst of freedom.

Those who are immature in their moral reasoning will always prefer the control of a list of rules over the freedom and responsibility that come with self-control.

C. Graciousness is a “Lordship” issue.
1. Make no mistake about it, the way you express your

opinions and manage your Christian freedom is directly

related to your own Christian faith and discipleship.

2. Whatever your position on a disputable matter, make sure

   that your primary goal is to please the Lord.

3. This concept is easy when we consistently practice the

   second of the “Greatest Commandments”.

4. It is exactly what the Apostle John was talking about when

   he said:

1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God MUST also love his brother.

Paul next moves on to the hot button issue of exercising judgment...

Romans 14:10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’” 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block

or obstacle in your brother’s way. 14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

II. When exercising judgment, REMEMBER a couple of important things...
A. FIRST: You too will be judged.

1. Listen to what Jesus said regarding judgment...

(Matthew 7:1-2) "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

2. And the Apostle James says...

(James 2:12-13) Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

3. The Apostle Paul warns about a critical, judgmental spirit...

(Galatians 5:15) If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

B. SECOND: When exercising judgment REMEMBER to remove stumbling blocks, NOT plant them like landmines!
1. Instead of being rigid in opinion toward others- be rigid in

your resolve not to be a source of offense to your brother or sister in Christ!

2. Your greatest Christian right is to give up your rights- just as Christ did on your behalf. Speaking of this principle, Paul says...

(Philippians 2:3-8) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

3. To the Galatian Christians Paul writes...

Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Finally, Paul gives us some practical coaching on how to do just that...

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. 22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past

was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

III.Practice Peace (THREE things)
A. Exercise care in the exercise of your freedom

1. Do your actions build up your brethren, or tear them down? 2. While an action may be morally neutral, it becomes wrong

when it harms another man’s conscience (i.e. the

consumption of alcohol).
B. Keep your opinions to yourself

1. Guess what? The sun does not rise and set with your opinion!

2. It is the ultimate mark of arrogance to transform a dearly held opinion into divine doctrine (and Christians do it on a regular basis!)

C. Bear with the failings of the weak

1. The goal here is not to make ourselves happy- it is to look

   out for the welfare of others, to build them up in the faith.

2. When we choose to practice forbearance, we engage in the

   example and ministry of Christ himself!

CONCLUSION: Do you want to be numbered among those who are spiritually strong? Perform the toughest of spiritual exercises- show grace to your brethren in Christ! Never forget- it was Christ who first showed grace to you!