When Christians Disagree

 Romans 14:1 – 15:7

“Disunity has long been a major problem with God’s people. Even the Old Testament records the civil wars and family fights among the people of Israel, and almost every local church mentioned in the New Testament had divisions to contend with.

“The Corinthians were divided over human leaders, and some of the members were even suing each other (1 Cor. 1:10-13; 6:1-8).  The Galatian saints were “biting and devouring” one another (Gal. 5:15), and the saints in Ephesus and Colossae had to be reminded of the importance of Christian unity (Eph. 4:1-3; Col. 2:1-2). In the church at Philippi, two women were at odds with each other and, as a result, were splitting the church (Phil. 4:1-3).  No wonder the psalmist wrote, ‘Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity (Ps. 133:1).’

“Unfortunately, we have similar problems today with many gray areas of life that are not clearly right or wrong to every believer.  Some activities we know are wrong, because the Bible clearly commands them. But when it comes to areas that are not clearly defined in Scripture, we find ourselves needing some other kind of guidance.”  Warren W. Wiersbe, “Be Right: How to Be Right with God, Yourself and Others,” pp. 161-162.

“Martin Luther said, ‘A Christian man is a most free lord of all, subject to none.  A Christian man is a most dutiful servant of all, subject to all.’  Under the lordship of Christ, we are to balance Christian freedom and Christian responsibility.  A number of principles informing us how to strike the delicate balance may be gleaned: (1) we dare not be judgmental in disputable or gray areas (14:1-5).  (2) We must all stand ultimately only before God (14:10).  (3) Each individual should be convinced in his own mind as to the rightness or wrongness of action (14:5).  (4) One must not put a stumbling block in the way of his brother (14:13).  (5) One must always act in love (14:15).  (6) One must pursue actions which promote peace (14:19).  (7) One must seek to edify others by his own actions (14:19).  (8) One must do only that which can be done in faith (14:22, 23).  (9) One must seek to glorify God (15:6).  (10) We must always accept one another, even when we disagree over doubtful things (15:7).” Believer’s Study Bible, p. 1618.

When we spend our time trying to correct everyone else, we fail to get our-own-selves right before God. As recorded in Matt. 7:5, Jesus spoke to this very issue when He taught, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” 

A thorough study of Romans 14 and 15 reveals the real freedom that each believer holds under the grace of God.  In Rom. 14:10, Paul said, “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.”  Look back to what Martin Luther said, ‘A Christian man is a most free lord of all, subject to none.  A Christian man is a most dutiful servant of all, subject to all.’  We are responsible to God, subject to no one else, yet at the same time we are to be a servant to all.

Paul wisely closed this section in verse 7 of Chapter 15 where he wrote, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”.