罗马书［第14章］
Book of Romans 14
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罗马书［第14章|Book of Romans 14【彼此接纳的要诀】
15/12/2021
引言:
当时初期教会内犹太人与外邦人两种信徒，因为文化的差异，和宗教背景的不同，加上信主年日的差距，对真理认识的程度不一致，所以产生了在教会内一起生活的不协调。保罗就在这一章就给予了忠告与教导：彼此接纳的要诀。
一、不可轻看论断弟兄（V1-12）
1、不要辩论疑惑的事（V1-12）
V1信心软弱的，你们要接纳，但不要辩论所疑惑的事。
在当时犹太人与回转的外邦人同样相信基督，但他们的观点却有很大的差异。所以他们之间就起了争论，从应该在什么日子做礼拜，到基督徒能吃什么、喝什么，各有不同意见。这时使徒保罗劝勉他们：V1信心软弱的，你们要接纳，但不要辩论所疑惑的事。
保罗提到‘所疑惑的事’是指：各人持有不同意见的事，圣经没有明文指出是罪的事。如果圣经指明是罪的事，我们便不能接纳！不能妥协！
吃或不吃、守或不守日，两边都有自己的道理，都没有违背神。但两边却无法彼此接纳，造成冲突与分裂的危机。所以，保罗也没有说谁是谁非，他只是劝导：不管信心软弱的人所坚持的是什么原因，这并非最重要。最重要乃是我们应该用‘接纳的心态’去面对不同的意见的人。因为神已经收纳他了。如果一件事，圣经没有说明是罪，我们就不要为这件事起争论。
所以，弟兄姐妹相处时，大家若有不同的想法，不要争论谁对谁错，应当彼此接纳，宁可自我节制，尊重对方的意见，以免对方受到伤害，因为在争论时，很容易陷入彼此轻看和论断！
2.我们都是属主的人（V7－12）
基督是我们各人的主。任何一个基督徒或对或错，是由主来判断。我们都是属主的人，既然神接纳我们，所以我们也要彼此接纳，因为我们都在在一个主之下替这一个主做事！
我们要能彼此接纳，也要学习尊重每位弟兄姊妹，因为他们和我们都同属一位神。当看见教会之间、弟兄姐妹当中，彼此批评、论断、攻击的时候，我的应当叹息。因为在主里我们都是弟兄姊妹，怎能如此随意论断别人呢？更何况论断他们，就是论断他们里面的主!
我们越亲近主的时候，其实越不敢乱说话。当我们对主理解越深，我们越不敢去批评指责别人。因为我们信主时间越长，越知道自己还有不足和亏欠的地方，就越不会去用所谓的属灵的话，去论断别人。今天我们要明白，他的主人会来管的，而且主一定会这样做，所以我们不要担心，也不要定他们罪，我们只要为他祷告，为主接纳他！
所以，当我们看到周围的弟兄姐妹有做的不好的地方，我们不要去给他们定罪，而是用自己的身教，用自己的行为去引导他，让他自己看到自己的亏欠，这才是我们所当做的。最好的榜样不是用嘴去批评指责别人，而是自己活出美好见证，让别人自愿来效法你！
求主的灵帮助我们，能用宽容的心彼此接纳；当用基督的爱浇灌在我们里面，彼此接纳时才能真正得享合一的喜乐。
二、不使弟兄绊脚跌倒（V13-23）
1.不因吃喝叫人败坏（V13-19）
信心坚固的弟兄明知道有信心软弱的在身边，却仍然吃后者认为不可以吃的‘不洁净’食物，或论断这位弟兄，这样会造成叫弟兄败坏！保罗认为这‘不是按着爱人的道理行’。因为爱弟兄，就不要因食物叫他忧愁。不单如此，保罗还提出一个更有力的理由：基督已经替他死，你不可因你的食物叫他败坏。
若信徒以追求合一为目标，那我们就不可凡事太过主观，反而要客观地考虑到别人的看法和立场。基督徒在主里虽有许多的自由，但若因为‘自以为的善’而不顾及别人、不理会爱心的原则的话，就不能达到荣神益人的效果。
基督信仰的重点是在圣灵里的公义、和平、喜乐。让不信的人在基督徒身上应当看见公义、和平、喜乐，而不是彼此中伤、控诉、争闹、和上法庭对抗。所以，为了避免让主内一些信心还不够的弟兄受到冲击，我们要愿意放弃一些自己喜欢的享乐，不叫弟兄跌倒败坏！ 就像我们开车上路，从支路进入主道时，会看见‘让行 Give way’的路标。 因为‘让行’是基督徒的生活哲学；不坚持己见，容许别人有成长的空间！在这有争议性问题出现时不坚持己见！
求主帮助我们和平喜乐地去处理问题，保守我们不使弟兄绊脚跌倒，追求和睦。
2.不可毁坏神的工程（V20-23）
什么是神的工程？乃是神在祂子民身上的工作。神要做的工作，是雕塑我们生命，使我们愈来愈像耶稣基督的样式。因为属灵生命成长的过程：得救是刹那之间，成长却是一生之久！
保罗特别提醒，不可因食物毁坏神的工程，不要因为食物叫弟兄姊妹跌倒； 其实不单食物会叫人跌倒，我们口中的言语也常叫人软弱，实在应当谨慎。另外我们的生活行为也容易叫人跌倒，如果在赌场看见我这位实习传道，你们会有何感想？有时我们对牧师、传道、全职同工有较多要求，但却没有想到，其实每一个基督徒的举止行为也会影响周围许多非信徒！
总结：
不要彼此论断！不同意见不要争论！而是要彼此接纳！因为神已经接纳我们了。
Romans 14: The Key To Mutual Acceptance
GK611 Morning Devotion
15/12/2021
Speaker: IP Daniel Kew + Rev. David Tan
Introduction:
The differences in culture and religious background between the Jewish and Gentile believers in the early church at that time, as well as the gap in the number of years of believing in Christ and the difference in their knowledge of the truth, created a dissonance in their life together in the church. It is in this chapter that Paul gives the advice and teaching: the key to mutual acceptance.
1. Do Not Look Lightly or Judge the Brothers (V1-12)
(1) Do not debate the doubtful things (v1-12)
V1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.
At that time the Jews and the converted Gentiles believed in Christ equally, but their views differed greatly. Therefore, there were arguments between them, ranging from what days they should worship, to what Christians could eat and drink, they all had different opinions. At this point the apostle Paul exhorted them: V1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.
Paul's reference to 'doubtful things' means: things about which people hold different opinions, and which the Bible does not explicitly state are sinful. If the Bible indicates that it is a sinful matter, we cannot accept it! There can be no compromise!
Eating or not eating, observing or not observing the day, both sides have their own reasoning, and neither is against God. However, both sides are unable to accept each other, causing a crisis of conflict and division. Therefore, Paul does not say who is right and who is wrong, but exhorts: Whatever the reason of the weak in faith may be, it is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that we should face those who disagree with us with a 'receptive mind'. For God has received him. If a matter is not stated as sin in the Bible, we should not argue about it.
Therefore, when brothers and sisters get together, if we have different ideas, we should not argue about who is right and who is wrong, but should accept each other, rather than abstain from self-control and respect each other's opinions, so that the other person will not be hurt, because when arguing, it is easy to fall into mutual contempt and judgement!
(2) We are all of the Lord (v7-12)
Christ is the Lord of us all. It is up to the Lord to judge whether any Christian is right or wrong. We are all of God, since God accepts us, we must also accept one another, for we are all working under one Lord and for that one Lord!
We need to be able to accept one another and learn to respect each brother and sister, because they all belong to the same God as we do. When we see churches criticizing, judging, and attacking each other among brothers and sisters, I should sigh. For we are all brothers and sisters in the Lord, so how can we judge others so freely? Not to mention that to judge them is to judge the Lord in them!
The closer we are to the Lord, the more we actually dare not speak out of turn. The deeper our understanding of the Lord, the more we dare not criticize and accuse others. Because the longer we believe in the Lord, the more we know that we still have deficiencies and shortcomings, the less we will try to judge others with so-called spiritual words. Today we need to understand that their Master will come to take care of them, and the Lord will definitely do so, so we should not worry or condemn them, we just need to pray for them and accept them for the Lord!
Therefore, when we see our brothers and sisters around us are not enough, we should not condemn them, but lead them by our own example, by our own behavior, so that they can see their own shortcomings, and this is what we should do. The best example is not to criticize and accuse others with your mouth, but to live a good testimony yourself, so that others will voluntarily follow your example!
Pray that the Spirit of the Lord will help us to accept one another with forgiveness; the joy of unity can be truly enjoyed when the love of Christ is poured out in us and we accept one another.
2. Do Not Cause Brothers to Stumble and Fall (V13-23)
(1) Not to cause corruption through eating and drinking (v13-19)
A brother who is strong in faith knows that he has a brother weak in faith with him, but he still eats 'unclean' food that the latter does not think he should eat, or he judges the brother, which results in corrupting him! Paul considered this 'not according to the love of man'. For if you love your brother, do not grieve him over food. Not only that, but Paul also gives an even stronger reason: Christ has died for him, and you must not corrupt him because of your food.
If believers aim for unity, then we must not be too subjective in everything, but rather we must objectively consider the views and positions of others. Although Christians have a lot of freedom in the Lord, if they disregard others and ignore the principle of love because of 'self-righteousness', they will not achieve the effect of glorifying God and benefiting others.
The focus of the Christian faith is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Let unbelievers see righteousness, peace, and joy in Christians, not slander, accusation, strife, and confrontation with one another in court. Therefore, in order to avoid shocking some brothers in the Lord who do not have enough faith, we must be willing to give up some of our favorite pleasures and not cause our brothers to stumble and become corrupt! Just like when we drive on the road and enter the main road from a side road, we will see the 'Give way' sign.
For 'give way' is the Christian philosophy of life; not to insist on one's own opinions and to allow others room to grow! Do not hold your ground when this controversial issue arises!
Pray that the Lord would help us to deal with issues peacefully and joyfully, that we would not cause our brothers to stumble and fall, and that we would pursue harmony.
(2) Do not destroy the works of God (v20-23)
What is the work of God? It is the work of God in His people. God's work is to sculpt our lives so that we will become more and more like the image of Jesus Christ. For the process of growth in spiritual life: salvation is a moment, but growth is a lifetime!
Paul specifically warned against destroying the work of God for the sake of food. , and against causing brothers and sisters to stumble because of food. In fact, not only food can cause people to stumble, but also the words of our mouths often cause weakness, so we should be careful. Also, our behavior in life can easily cause people to stumble. Imagine how you’ll feel if you see me, as an intern pastor in a casino? Sometimes we expect more from our pastors, preachers, and full-time co-workers, but we don't think about the fact that the behavior of every Christian affects many non-believers around them!
Conclusion:
Don't judge each other! Don't argue about different opinions! Rather, accept one another! For God has accepted us.
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