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“Yet somehow many have come to believe that a person can be a “Christian” without being like Christ. A “follower” who doesn’t follow. How does that make any sense? Many people in the church have decided to take on the name of Christ and nothing else. This would be like Jesus walking up to those first disciples and saying, “Hey, would you guys mind identifying yourselves with Me in some way? Don’t worry, I don’t actually care if you do anything I do or change your lifestyle at all. I’m just looking for people who are willing to say they believe in Me and call themselves Christians.” 
― Francis Chan, Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples

Romans 14:1-23

It happens all too often.  One believer is convinced that the Christian life is to be lived according to specific rules and rituals, and looks with judgment and condemnation upon a fellow believer whom they perceive not be be living a "good enough" life.  Another believer is convinced that Christ has freed them from the burdens of performance and legalism, and looks with judgment and condemnation upon a fellow believer whom they perceive to be a modern day Pharisee.

In this week's chapter, Romans 14, Paul speaks to this gaping distance between those who are supposed to be united in Christ, pointing to the underlying attitudes of the heart that are far more important than any of the preceding views.

Without a heart of authentic love for our fellow believer, even the most well-meaning of us completely miss the point of our faith, and are actually working against God's ultimate purposes in the church and in the world.  Instead, Paul pleads with us to "make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification."  We may know that we have liberty in certain matters, but it is far better "whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God," or to even voluntarily abstain from something altogether if we know that it may prove to be a stumbling block to a brother or a sister in Christ.

OPENING QUESTION:

What are some of the differences of opinions within your Christian community, church or small group?

STUDY QUESTIONS:

• Read Romans 14:1-23.  Who does Paul consider to be the "weak in faith" and, by implication, the "strong in faith"?
• What attitudes are the two groups to have toward each other?
• Over what issues in today's church are we in danger of judging one another because of things that Paul would declare to be unimportant?
• How can condemnation become a consequence of differing opinions (vv. 7-12)?
• How can we as believers know on which issues we can live with differences of opinion and which we cannot?
• Paul says in verse 14 that nothing is unclean in itself, but how does he say something can become "unclean" (vv. 13-23)?
• In what specific ways does the church today reverse verse 17 and make God's kingdom about "food and drink" rather than about justice, peace and joy?

After this week, we only have two chapters of Romans remaining, but a vast wealth of riches yet to be gleaned from the Bible ahead of us.

Come and partake of good coffee, conversation, and Christian community!

Love in Christ,

Pastor Joe

Disclaimer: These questions have been drawn from N.T. Wright’s study guide on the book of Romans, and are posted here to provide a general sample of the in-depth study each chapter entails.  Though the study guide is not required for participation in our weekly study, it is an excellent resource for advanced study of God’s word.

Romans 13:1-14

We're on the final stretch of chapters in Romans!

In Chapter 13, it is equally important to study the context of any given Scripture.  Like many other passages, Romans 13:1-7 has been misused and abused by others for less than godly purposes, even justifying turning a blind eye to injustice and acts of atrocity.  This is not at all what Paul is writing about here; instead this very topic is worthy of constant discussion.

Likewise, the remainder of the chapter speaks to our hearts, our attitudes, and our personal responsibility to be followers of Christ in an ever-darkening world.

OPENING QUESTION:

What happens in a society when there are no properly accredited and generally recognized rulers?  What examples can you give?

STUDY QUESTIONS:

• Read Romans 13:1-14.  According to Paul in verses 1-5, what is to be the role of government?
• Paul describes the "ruling power" as "God's servant" twice in these verses.  How can government be a servant of God?
• Read Acts 16:35-40 and 23:1-3.  How can what Paul says in Romans 13:1-7 regarding government be reconciled with Paul having no hesitation in telling authorities they are acting illegally or unjustly?
• Verses 8-14 show Paul using the idea of fulfilling the law through love. How can love fulfill all of the law?
• In verse 13, Paul notes three pairs of activities Christians should avoid.  How are bad temper and jealousy just as destructive in a Christian community as drunkenness and sexual immorality?
• Paul's solution to avoiding the activities of the night is to "put on the Lord Jesus" (v. 14).  How are we to do this?
• Think about your Christian community, your church or a small group.  In what ways can your community live in a way that is more attractive to the surrounding culture?

From this point out, the book of Romans speaks primarily to this theme.  We are nearing the end of  this study, but the practical applications of it will forever impact how we live in this world as a community of believers, and as individual followers of Jesus Christ.

I'm thankful to be sharing the journey with you!

Love in Christ,

Pastor Joe

Disclaimer: These questions have been drawn from N.T. Wright’s study guide on the book of Romans, and are posted here to provide a general sample of the in-depth study each chapter entails.  Though the study guide is not required for participation in our weekly study, it is an excellent resource for advanced study of God’s word.