Paul addresses cultural issues that often divide Christians.
The church of Rome was a mixture of Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. The Jewish Christians continued to follow their cultural heritage, such as observing Jewish laws governing dress, holy days, and kosher meals. The Gentile Christians, however, followed their cultural norms, and specifically eating meat sold in pagan markets. This resulted in the ongoing conflict between legalism and liberty.
While we do not ordinarily face these issues today, the principle is the same for all manner of other questions, such as, smoking, dancing, dress styles, music genres, alcohol, etc.
Paul admonishes the Roman Christians not to judge each other according to these cultural norms. NOTE: Where the Scripture is silent and involves questionable issues, we are not to judge each other’s faith. However, where the Scripture clearly prohibits sin, we are to correct sin in the church (see 1 & 2 Corinthians).
So, how do we proceed? Paul lays out six principles in the form of questions to give us guidance.
Am I Acting from Conviction? vv. 1-5
In these doubtful issues, “let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” concerning his own conduct, while at the same time refaining from criticizing other believers who have a different conviction. If Scripture speaks clearly on a certain practice, however, then that should govern, not human opinions about it.
Am I Doing This unto the Lord? vv. 6-9
“I’m living my own life!” is a statement no Christian ought to make, for we belong to the Lord, whether we live or die. He is the Lord, and we must live to please Him. So often the Christian who has questionable practices in his or her life cannot honestly say that these practices are done as “unto the Lord”; for in reality, they are practiced for selfish pleasure and not to honor the Lord. Christians who observe special days as unto the Lord will be accepted by the Lord, and we should not judge them. It is between them and their Lord.
Will It Stand the Test at the Judgment Seat? vv. 10-12
We have no right to judge our brethren, for we will all have our works tested at the judgment seat of Christ. This is the testing of the Christian’s works after the church is called home (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:10). We do not have to give an account of our brother’s life, so we have no right to condemn him today. Certainly all of us want to live lives that will stand the fiery test before Christ, lives that will win rewards for His glory.
Am I Causing Others to Stumble? vv. 13-21
There is one thing we should judge: we should judge ourselves to see whether we are abusing our Christian liberty and making others stumble. Certainly nothing is unclean of itself, but some practices and habits are considered unclean by others. Therefore, if we deliberately do something that makes our brothers stumble, we’re not living according to the rule of love.
After all, the Christian life is not a matter of eating or drinking (or any other practice), but one of righteousness and peace and joy, all of which come from the Spirit. Our aim should be not to please ourselves, but to build up (edify) other Christians in love. 1 Corinthians 10:23 states that all things are lawful for the believer (for we do not live under law), but not everything builds us up or helps to build up others.
Am I Doing This by Faith? vv. 22-23
These two verses lay down the principle that the Christian life is between the believer and his Lord, and that the believer must always be sure he is right with the Lord. If there are doubts about some of his practices, he cannot have joy and peace. “Damned” in Romans 14:23 has nothing to do with eternal punishment; it should read “condemned.” That is, the Christian who engages in practices with a doubtful mind is condemning himself and those practices by his very attitude. Whatever we do that is not of faith is sin, for the Christian lives by faith. “Faith comes by…the Word of God,” says Romans 10:17; so anything I do that I cannot back up by the Word of God is sin, because I cannot do it by faith.
Am I Pleasing Myself or Others? vv. 15:1-7
Paul’s final conclusion in Romans 15:7 is: receive one another, for Christ has received you. This will bring glory to God.
Local churches have the right to establish standards, but not beyond what the Word teaches. We must lovingly allow for differences among Christians and not use these differences as opportunities for division.