QT 25/06/2024 Tue. Romans 14. Unity: United on important matters. 合一：在重要的事物上合一
QT 25/06/2024 Tue. Romans 14. Unity: United on important matters.
READ http://www.esvbible.org/rom14
LISTEN
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/esv/Romans.14
(1). DISPUTE OVER CLEAN/UNCLEAN FOOD
Paul's application of Roman 1-11 now focuses on "the weak" (Rom 14) and "the strong" (Rom 15). Welcome the one whose faith is weak (Rom 14:1).
The "weak" in Rom 14:1 is likely the one who "eats only vegetables" (Rom 14:2) and "abstains" from certain kinds of meat (Rom 14:6). In contrast, the strong "eats anything" (Rom 14:3). However, the issue on food is a disputable matter and merely "opinions" (Rom 14:1). This is because "all food is clean" (Rom 14:20) and diet should not stumble, hinder or destroy fellow believers (Rom 14:13,15).
The Gentiles' food tastes might cause Jews much discomfort. Therefore, Paul urges Gentiles to forgo the consumption of meats which the Jews would consider "unclean".
REFLECTION: The most powerful and free Christians are those who can give up their rights/opinions on "disputable matters" for the benefit of others, and to glorify God even more, isn't it so?
(2) DISPUTE OVER HOLY DAYS
Apparently, some treated certain days as sacred while another "esteems all days alike" (Rom 14:5). The Jews had more "sacred days" than the Gentiles. The less restrictive behaviour of the Gentiles on a "Jewish sacred day" might cause the Jews distress.
Holy days are also disputable matters because "each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind" (Rom 14:5) and observes (or does not observe) that day "to the Lord" (Rom 14:6).
APPLICATION:-
(a) In the context of Roman 13, welcome the one you are condemning because "God has welcomed him" (Rom 14:3).
(b) Remember that only God is the judge while the rest are merely "servants" (Rom 14:4). The Final Account is "before God's judgment seat" on that day (Rom 14:10), NOT NOW, nor before US!
(c) "The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17). Don't be divided over lesser matters and missing out on the servant (or service) who is "acceptable to God and approved by men" (Rom 14:18).
(d) Focus on "peace" and "mutual upbuilding" (Rom 14:19) and less emphasis on self (Rom 14:7)
(e) "Disputable matters" should be kept PRIVATE: "The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God" (Rom 14:22). They should not be brought up within the spiritual community publicly to be IMPOSED on others, nor asserted in such an UNEDIFYING way as to DISRUPT the "peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom 14:17).
星期二 2024年6月25日 今日读经：罗马书14章. 合一：在重要的事物上合一
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Rom/14/
听音频罗马书14章
https://www.bible.com/bible/41/rom.14.cnvs
(1) 洁净/不洁净的食物的争议
保罗在罗马书1-11章的应用现在聚焦在“软弱的人”(罗14)和“坚强的人”(罗15)。我们要接纳那信心软弱的人(罗14:1)。
罗14:1那“软弱的人”很有可能就是那“只吃青菜”的人(罗14:2)和“不吃”某些肉类的人(罗14:6)。相对来讲，信心强的“什么都吃”(罗14:3)。然而，对于食物的问题，虽是有争议性的却只是“意见”(罗14:1)。这是因为“一切食物都是洁净的”(罗14:20)而饮食不应该绊倒、影响或破坏任何的信徒(罗14:13,15)。
外族人对食物的口味或许会让犹太人造成困扰。所以，保罗呼吁外族人不要吃犹太人认为“不洁净”的肉。
反思：最坚强和自由的基督徒是那些在“有争议”的事情上，为了别人的好处而放弃自己的权利或看法，以致能够更加地荣耀神，难道不是这样吗？
(2) 守圣日的争议
问题的所在是，有些人认为这日比那日好，也有人认为“日日都是一样”(罗14:5)。犹太人比外族人要守的“圣日”更多。外族人若在“犹太守的圣日”不拘束自己的行为将给犹太人带来困扰。
圣日也是有争议性的问题因为“各人自己心意要坚定”(罗14:5)并守日(或不守)都是“为了主”(罗14:6)。
应用:-
(a) 在罗马书13章，接纳那个你批评的因为“神已经接纳他了”(罗14:3)。
(b) 记得，只有神是法官，其他的都只是“家仆”(罗14:4)。最后结算是到了那日，“在神的审判台面前”(罗14:10)，不是现在，也不是在我们面前！
(c) “因为 神的国不在于吃喝，而在于公义、和睦，以及圣灵里的喜乐”(罗14:17)。不要为这些小事分歧而错过了当一个(或服事)“蒙神喜悦，又得众人嘉许”的仆人(罗14:18)。
(d) 聚焦在“和睦”和“彼此造就”(罗14:19)这些事上，而少为自己而活(罗14:7)。
(e) “有争议的事”应该不公开：“你所信的，你自己要在 神面前持守”(罗14:22)。他们不应该在属灵的家庭里公开提起以影响他人，或以不造就人的方式表达出来，以致破坏了“圣灵里的和睦和喜乐”(罗14:17)。
