READ: Rom. 14:1–9: Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats. … Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. … For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
Love toward the neighbor must also be expressed in forbearance when differences of opinion exist within the congregation. This does not concern deviant doctrine, but the application of God’s Word in concrete situations. Where matters are not directly indicated in God’s Word, choices must be made but they may not contradict God’s Word.
Those choices may nevertheless differ. In the congregation at Rome this concerned the use of food. May you eat everything? In the case of meat there could be a connection with meat sacrificed to idols.
Some in the congregation thought that therefore it was better to avoid meat and use only vegetables. Others had no difficulty eating meat, since they did not serve those idols and the meat might be food for them.
Now it is required not to condemn one another for the choice made. As a congregation you must bear that another has a different view and choice, where this does not conflict with God’s Word.
Thus in Rome it was also with the observance of certain days, which some regarded as holy days. Paul distinguishes between the strong, who eat everything and regard every day alike, and the weak, who think differently. Yet the strong may not impose their opinion on the weak.
Are these then indifferent matters, in which you must leave one another entirely free? No, for Paul speaks about strong and weak. It is good to discuss the matter for edification, but not to impose your choice on the other.
Each must be fully convinced that with his conduct he lives for the Lord and serves Him who has purchased him. The Lord is the One who judges.
Where do the boundaries lie for you with respect to the world?
Singing: Ps. 122:3