Good Morning! 2010.08.31 - Romans 14:23 - Whatsoever is Not of Faith

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23) Read Chapter 14

Our text today is the last verse in a chapter that deals with living among other Christian people when we don't all agree on what is right and wrong. Specifically, it was about eating meat and wine and Sabbaths or holy days. More than that, it was about how these things might be offensive to our fellow believers and particularly to "weak" brothers. Please follow the link above and read the short chapter.

The Bible is sufficient for faith and practice because it covers everything of real importance. It does not name everything but it covers everything either by name or by principle. Sometimes when we consider a principle, we are required to study and discuss and pray and observe and discern. Life is complicated and our guidebook is a relatively short book. The Bible requires us to study it and apply it rightly as God intended. The questions are always: 1. What does it say? 2. What does it mean? 3. How does it apply to me?

The Bible sometimes requires us to make judgments. Some people know only the phrase: "Judge not." But the Bible constantly requires us to make judgments. In selecting Bishops, it is said that they must …have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil (1Timothy 3:7).

This involves the opinions of people outside the church, not just church members. If a man sings good and prays a good prayer in church but has a foul mouth and cheats people outside the church, he is not qualified to be a bishop (overseer). We're talking about people making judgments about other people.

But our text refers to a man's own opinion of himself. We know when we are going against what is right and to do so is to sin, even if the Bible doesn't give a chapter and verse about it. One of the most important verses in the Bible says:

Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth (Romans 14:22).

McGee points out: " My friend, you are to believe in what you are doing. If you don't believe in it, you should not be doing it. Here is a new definition of sin for the believer: Any line of conduct or any act which is not the outflow of faith becomes sin. This is the Holy Spirit's answer of questionable things. As the believer is saved by faith, just so the believer is to walk by faith."

In summary, we are to live with a clear conscience. We must be satisfied in our minds that we have no red flags or nagging doubts about what we are doing or what we allow. Barnes says it only slightly differently: "Whatever is not done with a full conviction that it is right is sinful; whatever is done when a man doubts whether it is right, is sin." To the contrary, just because a man believes a thing is right doesn't make it right. If it is wrong it may still be a sin to him even if he doesn't think it is.

We are responsible not only for what we know but also for what we could have known if we had applied ourselves. A man may not know the bare electrical wires are live and hot. Nevertheless,if he is standing barefooted on a damp concrete floor they're going to bite him or even kill him.

Many of the persecutors in the Old and New Testament were conscientious John 16:2; Acts 26:9; and the murderers of the Son of God did it ignorantly Acts 3:17; 1Corinthians 2:8; and yet were adjudged as guilty of enormous crimes; compare Luke 11:50-51; Acts 2:23, Acts 2:37.

Our text today does not deal with such heavy issues as the links above. But, we have a fine discussion of the nature of Christian love toward other Christians when we have differences of "opinion." If the rules in this chapter would be followed, there would be fewer harsh words and fist fights among God's people.

The big question is whether there is true love for the Lord Jesus. Love for Him would shut a lot of critical mouths that talk when they should remain closed. Our job is to build each other up in the holy faith and that cannot be done without a firm dedication to the One who gave His all for us on the cross.

Our text is a great verse to memorize and to live by.