By: Obed Pineda
Imagine you are outside on a hot summer day when the humidity level is unbearable and stifling, around noontime. Because of the sweltering weather, it is very unlikely that you would choose to wear a heavy winter coat meant to keep a person warm in a cold climate. Not only would it be unfitting to wear clothes meant for the winter during the summer, but it is also dangerously unwise because it will dehydrate you and can be very harmful to your physical health. What this illustration reveals to us is that there is proper time, place, and condition when putting on the heavy winter coat is appropriate and when it is not. Furthermore, it also aims to demonstrate that in some instances, wearing the winter garment at inopportune times can be detrimental to men and therefore would be unwise to still choose to wear it. The same is true when speaking about leniency toward one another. A lenient attitude is defined as a “mild and tolerant disposition or effect: not harsh, severe, or strict” (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). There are some who believe that this should be the permanent approach to all matters pertaining to religious practices but, similar to our illustration, there is an accurate time when tolerance is apropos. Holy Writ makes manifest that “all things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well being” (1st Corinthians 10:23-24). The inspired apostle delineates precisely the perimeter that indicates when forbearance is allowed and advised by the Almighty to be carried out. The instruction begins by establishing that this approach must be used only within the boundaries of what God has already declared as lawful. This eliminates any and all wicked, sinful decisions that are being performed by a person (cf. Ephesians 5:6-11). False doctrine being espoused by a false teacher, is undeniably outside the bounds of toleration, for Scripture commands “look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but we may receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (2nd John 1:8-11, cf. Jude 1:3). Separating oneself from the false teacher is meant to help pull said person away from their evil doctrine. One must beware not to misapply tolerance with a Christian who is actively practicing sin either, for doing so causes great harm to the body of the Lord (cf. 1st Corinthians 5:1ff). Yet, one must recognize that taking the other extreme of absolute inflexibility violates God’s ordinances as well. Paul exhorted the Corinthian brotherhood that the upright attitude of a faithful Christian is where “the other’s well-being” is sought after (1st Corinthians 10:24). Condoning evil lifestyles like binding heavy burdens that God has not commanded on a brother or sister, destroys that Christian and is exceedingly unhelpful to their faith. Indifference like Self-righteousness are both condemned by Holy Writ because “you are no longer walking in love” (Romans 14:15a). In Romans 14, the Holy Spirit explains when, where, how, and why the coat of toleration should be worn by a Christian. Remember that from Romans 12:1b, Paul is unveiling to those who now stand before God justified by the obedience to the Gospel, what our “reasonable service” is. He continues to highlight the duties of a loyal servant of righteousness in the fourteenth chapter by focusing on what the relationship should be between a strong and a weak brother as it pertains to matters of religious indifference. This section of the Roman epistle reveals to the diligent disciple of Christ how to deal with non-doctrinal issues within the Church. The Bible states, “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things” (Romans 14:1). Paul, by inspiration, quickly answers the who, where, what, how, and why regarding the subject of leniency with this first verse. The context discussed by this pericope deals with two Christians, one strong and one weak (who), who are in the faith (where), that are engaged in a conversation over differing matters of opinion (what) where forbearance is instructed (how) in order to prevent the conversation from becoming contentious (why). It is important to identify what makes a Christian strong or weak in the faith, within this passage. Paul does not use these terms to speak about the level of conviction or development of a person’s faith in Christ. Rather, he is referring to their understanding of the liberties they now have in Christ (cf. Romans 14:2). When studying this section of Scripture, keep in mind the historical context that illuminates one reason this lesson was required for the Church at Rome. The members that composed the congregation of Rome at the time the epistle was written came out of both Jewish and Gentile societies. The significance of this detail surfaces when the apostle reveals that the source of the contention was that “one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables” (Romans 14:2). It is unfair to immediately assume that the Jew must be the “weak” in Paul’s inspired writing since they were prohibited from eating certain foods under the Law of Moses (cf. Deuteronomy 14:3-21). The Gentile, too, could fit this description because they came out of a pagan community immersed in idolatry, where it was customary to eat foods offered to idols and perhaps they were afraid to offend God by inadvertently practicing this ceremony with eating certain foods associated with this custom (cf. 1st Corinthians 8:1-8). In both instances the apostle reveals that what a person ate (whether a food unsanctioned by a now defunct system or a dish linked with a superstitious ritual) was a matter of judgment, and not a violation of Christ’s doctrine (cf. 1st Corinthians 8:8). Paul warns, “let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him” (Romans 14:3). This confirms that the spirit of tolerance should be within the Christian when the discussion between two brethren centers on issues that are not in violation of Christ’s Law. Treating the brother who’s understanding about his liberties in Christ is still weak with disdain or over zealously is to “destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died” (Romans 14:15b). Ergo, the subject Paul is addressing in Romans 14 is that one must be careful not to judge (i.e. condemn) his brother or sister in matters of indifference, where God’s holy commandments are not being broken. The apostle is in no way, shape, or form teaching either that forbearance must always be applied in all matters of religious practices. If that were the case, the apostle would be contradicting himself in the same epistle (cf. Romans 16:17-18). The Bible once more proves that a balanced life is identified by God as both wise and spiritual.