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The Just Shall Live by Faith

“The Behavior Between Believers” part one Romans 14:1-23

Date:March 9, 2025
Author: Wayne J. Edwards

Introduction:

It is a serious thing in the eyes of Jesus to offend a fellow believer; to do or say anything that would cause them to stumble in their pursuit of His Holiness and righteousness. Many believers have overlooked that seriousness and have not only brought pain upon themselves, but upon others who were watching them or listening to them, and only God knows what they have faced or will have to face when they meet Him in the future.

Sunday evening at 6:00 PM, we will continue our study of Paul’s incredible letter to the Christians in Rome. In this sermon, we will examine Romans 14:1-23, under the heading: “The Behavior Between Believers.”

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The Just Shall Live by Faith
“The Behavior Between Believers” part one
Romans 14:1-23

Wayne J. Edwards, Pastor

   Paul repeated two words in his prison epistles that described the kind of Church God could use to reflect the true nature of Jesus Christ into a community.

  • Unity – the unity of the faith – Ephesians 4:3ff
  • Purity – the removal of sin – Matthew 18ff
    • If the spiritual leaders do not deal with sin personally and privately, God will deal with it corporately.
  • In Romans 1-ll, the Apostle Paul defined how all Christians are just sinners saved by God’s grace alone, through their faith alone, and in Christ alone.
  • In Roman 12:1-2, Paul said the Christian’s reasonable response to God’s gift of grace is to:
    • Lay our lives before the Lord as “living sacrifices” to the One who saved us from an eternity in hell.
    • Not conform our lives to the systems of the world, but rather be transformed by the renewing of our minds through the persistent and consistent study of the Scriptures.
  • In Romans 12:3ff, Paul gave a series of commands and exhortations regarding the purity within the Church body.

Inner circle – our relationship with God.

Second circle – our relationship with other believers

Third circle – our relationship with unbelievers

Outer circle – our relationship with the enemies of the cross
  • In Romans 13, Paul said the believer is to submit to the governing authorities and to live exemplary lives before unbelievers so as to prove the power of the gospel.
    • Romans 13:14: “Put on the Lord, Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.”
  • Romans 14:1-23 – Behavior Between Believers –
    • When it comes to “getting along” within the family, Paul’s admonition is to: “pursue the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” – vs 19
    • Receive the weaker brother – vs 1-4
      • Do not despise or condemn the weaker brother, for he does not have to answer to any other man, but to God.
    • Stand firm in your own convictions – vs 5-9
      • Do not violate your own conscience just to befriend the weaker brother.
      • We all are under the watchful eye of Jesus Christ.
      • We all belong to Jesus Christ, having been purchased by His death and His resurrection.
    • Leave the judgement up to God – vs 10-12
      • Everyone will be judged by Christ.
      • Every knee will bow before Christ.
      • Everyone shall give an account of himself to God.
    • Judge our own behavior only – vs 13-21
      • Walk in compassion, being careful not to offend those who are weak.
      • Walk in love, being careful to accept the weaker brother where he is.
      • Pursue peace with the weaker brother, and build one another up.
      • Do nothing to cause the weaker brother to stumble or to discount the work of God in his life.
    • Watch your own life before God – vs 22-23
      • Be true to your own convictions.
      • Be true to your own conscience.
    • Make sure God approves your behavior.

Resolved:
“I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done,
if I should at last be damned.”
Johnathan Edwards