The Danger of The Irresponsible Use of Liberty | Romans 14:20-23

Scripture

• Romans 14:20–23

About this sermon

Introduction: We are to pursue what edifies others. Verse 19 makes that clear. This is our resolution. We resolve to pursue that which makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. We aim at that which produces a GODLY unity. And GODLY UNITY exists in a commitment to mutual edification. IF THAT REALLY IS OUR AIM, THEN WE WILL REFUSE WHAT OPPOSES THAT AIM. We do not want to be stumbling block. We do not want to be an occasion for a brother or sister to fall into a sin trap. And so it is, that after Paul exhorts us to mutual edification, he warns us about what threatens it. And what he tells us threatens it is an irresponsible use of our liberty in Christ. Even where the believer is genuinely free TO EAT as he pleases, or DRINK as he pleases (within the bounds of what God has prescribed), or NOT OBSERVE days that once were mandated under the OT law, his freedom must always be exercised in love. We saw this in verse 15. ESV Romans 14:15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. And so, this morning, we are warned about three ways that an irresponsible use of liberty is dangerous. Before we look at those three potential dangers, I want to point out a few things, in the way of introduction, as we look at these four verses together. *I AM STRUCK BY THE REPETITIVENESS OF PAUL’S TEACHING It should never be lost on us that the New Testament writers do not hesitate to repeat the same truths, again, and again, and again. Verse 20 repeats the truth of verse 15. These four verses, taken together, repeat truths we have already heard. And while we recognize that there is usually SOME progress in a writer’s thinking process as we move through similar sounding statements. You sometimes just have to say, “he’s saying the same thing again.” There is a minor new nuance of thought in the idea of liberty’s potential dangers, but it is true to say that even this is not an entirely new idea in this section. WHY DO THESE WRITERS KEEP REPEATING THEMSELVES? WHY DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT KEEP REPEATING HIMSELF? A few things to remember: -Our proneness to forget (my wife often reminds me of what she knows I often forget) -The importance of the information (my wife often reminds me of what she knows I cannot afford to forget) -The interconnectivity and interdependence of Christian doctrine (Certain truths are often brought up again, but with a different connection in mind, or as a foundation for something additional) A conclusion to draw: But regardless of why we find this repetition, one thing is certain. We must stop despising it. It is a rebuke of our impatience. One of the beautiful things about verse-by-verse exposition is that we often forced to be patiently taught what we would move away from too quickly (if not engaged in consecutive study) and suffer for. *I AM STRUCK BY THE CONSISTENT FOCUS ON THOSE WHO ARE STRONGER IN FAITH This is very counterintuitive to us. Our instincts would expect that the focus would be on those who are weaker in faith. THEY ARE NOT NEGLECTED IN THIS INSTRUCTION. THEY ARE NOT LEFT UNADDRESSED. But this 14th chapter has largely focused on those who are stronger in faith, and therefore have greater responsibility in the family of God. -This reminds us that we really must care for each other (We really ARE our brother’s keeper) -This reminds us that the church really is the family of God (Fathers, children, young men) ESV 1 John 2:13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. -This reminds us that God really does expect more of us the more we grow -This reminds us of the privilege to express the selfless love which we have received from Christ. *I AM STRUCK BY THE INSISTENCE OF THESE VERSES THAT THE IRRESPONSIBLE USE OF LIBERTY IS A SERIOUS MATTER I fear that we often view how we exercise our liberty as having SOME practical effect but not SERIOUS practical effect. It is an issue, but is it really a SERIOUS issue? These verses respond with a resounding YES! This is a serious issue. *I AM STRUCK BY THE INSISTENCE OF THESE VERSES THAT ALL OF THIS REALLY IS ABOUT MY OWN WALK WITH GOD