NT Fire Starters – Day 223: Romans 14:1-15:4

READ: Romans 14:1–15:4

THINK: Are there certain issues and activities that you feel okay about that other Christians seem to have a problem with? Or perhaps others seem free to do things you can’t do in good conscious. In some cases, these are trivial matters and one view is no better or worse than another. Each believer must be true to God in their own faith and conscience. However, we must be careful not to use this passage to justify morally questionable behavior. The issues highlighted here deal primarily with outward or physical activities such as food for our bodies or special days we recognize. Such personal preferences do not fit into the same category as activities that directly affect your mind and spirit. (See 14:17 note.) God’s Word addresses those types of issues in a completely different light (cf. Eph 5:3-7; Col 3:5), leaving little doubt about what Christians should and should not do. Our primary concern regarding issues of conscience and personal preference should be to do what best promotes God’s work and builds others up.

RESPOND: What were some of the “disputable matters” addressed in this passage, and why do Christians need to be careful about their attitudes regarding such issues? (See 14:1 and 14:5 notes.) What criteria should you use to evaluate your choices regarding issues of personal preference? (See 14:1 note.) How should faith affect these decisions? How should concern for others affect your decisions (cf. v. 7)? What should be your primary concerns in making choices regarding discretionary matters? What does it mean “not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way” (See 14:13 note)? What are some contemporary issues of conscience in which Christians must be careful not to mislead or misjudge others? How should love affect your decisions (v. 15)? Why are morally questionable activities that affect the mind and spirit completely different from the debatable issues discussed in this passage? (See 14:17 note.) Why are the strongest warnings in this passage directed at those whose faith seems to allow them greater freedom in their actions? (See 15:3 note.) How can we destroy God’s work by approving certain behaviors that may be questionable to others (v. 22)? How can you ensure that your actions build others up (v. 19)? In what way did Jesus set the prime example of how we must consider others ahead of ourselves? (See 15:3 note.)

PRAY: Ask God to always help you consider how your discretionary choices affect His work in others and to do what promotes His purposes and puts the good of others ahead of your personal preferences.

ACT: Consider any issues and activities in your life that could be debatable among sincere Christians. Make sure that you’re not looking down on those who are more restrictive in their behavior. On the other hand, refrain from judging those who seem to take more liberty than you do with certain activities. In all things, don’t put your personal preferences ahead of others by approving of activities that may influence them to defy their own consciences.