“Open-Handed Issues: Part 1”
By Pastor Rich ParadisRomans 14:1-12
As
we go forward in our study of the letter to the Roman churches, we continue
looking into the idea of what a “living sacrifice” looks like. We have most
recently looked at this person in relation to submission to the governing
authorities and as he or she loves others from both a platform of obedience and
His eventual coming. Now we look at this “living sacrifice” in relation to
judging or offending those around us that have differing views regarding
non-salvific issues. These issues we will refer to as “open-handed issues”.
Let’s see what the passage says about this important topic.
I.
Some
Introductory Thoughts
a.
In
Faith’s New Member Class, there is a discussion about what we refer to as
“open-handed issues”. These issues are things that many believers find
themselves disagreeing on and discussing at length with others, but that don’t
have to be issues that we divide over because of their salvific
(salvation-related) importance. The picture is that of holding these issues
with an open hand versus a clenched fist that is ready to fight and even divide
over. Among these issues might be:
i.
Traditional
versus contemporary music?
ii.
Length
of worship services
iii.
How
often should the ordinances be practiced? (Baptism and Lord’s Supper(
iv.
Sunday
School or Home Groups?
v.
Casual
dress versus suits and dresses?
vi.
You
get the picture! There’s a million of these types of discussions
b.
While
the issues that are being discussed in this particular passage seem to have a
more theological platform for discussion than the mere preferences noted above,
the problem of needing to consider others over preference has been an issue for
as long as anyone can remember. Some of these issues have solved themselves by
our denominational system (not a bad thing). Some of these issues have been
“solved” by fighting and hating each other to the point of separation.
c.
SOME
QUESTIONS AS WE BEGIN:
i.
What
does the Bible say about these “open-handed issues”? How are they to be
handled?
ii.
Are
differences even allowed in the family of God? (Unity or Uniformity?)
iii.
What
is the responsibility of the one that desires to be a “living sacrifice” as
Romans 12:1 described?
II.
All
Believers Should Avoid Judging Others In Regard To Open-Handed Issues Romans
14:1-4
a.
As
we begin looking at Romans 14, we are faced with a call to action and attitude
as we seek to live as a “living sacrifice”. That call is stated in Verse 1 as Paul appeals to the Roman
believers to “accept the one who is weak in the faith”. First of all, we are
faced with the fact that while all are of equal value before the Lord, there
are differing levels of maturity among the brethren. While this is evident, we
are sometimes slow to admit this at the risk of appearing proud and arrogant.
The very fact that we often place ourselves in the “strong” camp when looking
at resolving these “open-handed issues” is proof that we need this discussion
as much as the ones that originally read it in Paul’s letter. Paul knows this
even as he says to accept the weaker (not as understanding or decided as to the
freedom that we have in Christ) brother or sister, but not just so you can
argue and take a whack at convincing them that you are right. This idea of
“accepting” is neat in that it actually is defined as “granting access to one’s
heart, to take into friendship. This could never be done with such ill or
selfish motives.
b.
The
first issue at hand amongst the Roman believers is that of dietary restrictions
or freedoms. It is possible and even probable that both of the examples that
will be offered in this passage are differences between Jewish believers (a
healthy minority) and Gentile believers (the majority by percentage), but
others could also disagree in these matters. Verse 2 differentiates between the two thoughts under
consideration. There is one that is able to eat without restriction and there
is the one who limits himself or herself to vegetables only. The reason for
this is unknown, but it may be a similar argument to the 1 Corinthian 8
situation where the person did not have a way of knowing if the meat in
question had been sacrificed to idols.
c.
But
as Verse 3 unfolds, we are corrected
from thinking that there is a “right” and a “wrong” way in regard to this
open-handed issue. Paul says that the one who senses no dietary restriction
should not look down on or despise the one who chooses to not partake. But he
also says that the one who is only eating vegetables is not to judge the one
who is eating from a fuller menu. How can both of these folks be right? Because
“God has accepted him”. Acceptance of an open-handed practice does not
ultimately come from us, but from God Himself.
d.
That
truth is revealed in Verse 4 as Paul
asks who we think we are to judge another’s servant. Whose servant is he
talking about? God’s servant! God will be the One that will ultimately discern
the “rightness” or “wrongness” of a practice or a restriction based on His
perfect ability to do so.
e.
A
QUESTION FOR APPLICATION:
i.
Is
judging others in these non-essentials an area of struggle for you? How does
that passage help you in developing a more healthy approach going forward?
III.
All
Believers Should Consider Their Own Decisions In Regard To Open-Handed Issues Before
The Lord Romans 14:5-8
a.
Paul
now goes on to his second issue related to his readers; that of observation of
days. While it is possible that the idea here is the Sabbath observance only,
it is more likely that the discussion can and should be widened to a discussion
of the Sabbath and other important calendar and festival dates on the Jewish
calendar. The Jewish believers in Rome were under some pressure as they tried
to think through how the traditional Jewish ways and dates coincided with their
Christian beliefs.
b.
Paul
will discuss the issue of one person observing some days over others and the
fact that other believers saw no distinction between days, weeks and months.
Which is right? Paul shares in Verse 5-6
that there are at least two criteria for making such a decision:
i.
Is
the person convinced in his or her own mind? But not just that…
ii.
Is
the decision, whatever it is, done with a heart of recognition for and
thankfulness to God?
c.
While
the unbeliever is known for his or her focus on themselves as the authority for
their own life, the believer (“us” in Verse
7 and “we” in Verse 8) has
another authority that replaces his or her ultimate authority in their lives:
God Himself.
d.
And
the scope of His authority is shared in both of these verses. God is the
authority in the life of the believer both in life and in death. As we live for
Him, our daily decisions and our lifestyles are under His authority. But even
in our death, the believer is accountable to God. This is especially important
in this passage as we try to discern the “need” to hold others accountable to
our own particular views as they relate to these open-handed areas of thought.
e.
QUESTION
FOR APPLICATION:
i.
Do
you submit yourself and your decisions in these non-essential matters to the
Lord?
IV.
All
Believers Should Consider God’s Judgment As Superior To Their Own Romans
14:9-12
a.
Paul
begins this section by saying in Verse 9
that this lordship over both life and death is the very reason that He died and
was resurrected. A “living sacrifice” recognizes this truth as he or she lives
and makes decisions on a daily basis.
b.
He
continues his discussion with a couple of very difficult questions in light of
the previous comments that expose not only our judgment, but also our despising
of others that don’t agree with us. Verse
10 asks both the readers then and those of us that are reading now:
i.
Why
do you judge your brother?
ii.
Why
do you regard your brother with
contempt?
c.
Paul
also shares in Verses 11-12 the fact
that we as believers will be judged and will give an account of ourselves
before God. Verse 11 is a restating of both Isaiah 45:23 and 49:18. Since Paul
is speaking to believers, what are we to make of this “judgment”? This judgment
is not a judgment where eternal destiny is determined. That was settled by
faith in Christ. This judgment is related to service before the Lord and both
reward and loss can be experienced. Again, this judgment is a demonstration of
His lordship in the believer’s life.
d.
QUESTION
FOR APPLICATION:
i.
Do
you allow God to be God in relation to both eternity and today? (Today may be
even harder at times!)
