The
Weak And The Strong
Romans 14.1-12
In 1927 my grandfather was ordained in
the CRC. His parents were sincere and passionate believers. And they attended
the service at Niewkirk ann den Ussal, north east of Rotterdam. So far so good.
Seems normal, but it wasn’t. You see my great grandfather had done something
unusual for his day. He’d married a devout catholic girl. The reality was that
my great grandmother went each week to Catholic services – alone, while my
great grandfather took the kids to the reformed church. So, when the day came
for my grandfather’s ordination, his mother had to ask for permission from the
bishop to attend the service. It was granted and that was the one and only time
she attended a non-Catholic church. It was the only time she heard her son
speak. On all sides the considered opinion was that strong faith and right
doctrine ruled the day.
My dad tells me that his grandmother
was a wise and godly woman. Their marriage was strong and a blessing to the
family. Their children were successful in life. An uncle published books,
another sat on the Board of Heineken; and my grandfather a noted preacher,
writer and leader. And yet they couldn’t worship together.
What was that about?
The text before us needs only a brief
explanation of the setting. The point Paul makes is clear enough. The debate was about how much of the Jewish
tradition should be included in Christian practice. Or maybe better how has
Christ fulfilled the earlier covenants - faith and practice to bring the last
covenant - faith and practice for all the people of God.
In other passages Jesus and the Spirit
are clear. Sabbath was made for humanity and not the other way around; feast
days are now optional; animal sacrifices are no longer required; dietary laws abandoned
because now God has come near to humanity, the curtain has been torn and
through Jesus’ death and resurrection sinful but forgiven humanity can approach
a holy God.
The New Testament is full of these
revelations, but old habits die hard. So again Paul addresses the issues. Calling
the disputable matters – we’d say non-salvation issues – Paul says observance
of the old traditions is fine but no longer necessary so long as observance
does not replace grace. And, he says, non-observance of the old traditions is
also fine so long as it is not done with arrogance.
I remember talking one time to a woman
who I respected quite deeply. She was my mom’s age and one day we were talking
about women serving as deacons. It was the early 80’s when this was new to our
churches. I’ll never forget what she said, one day the people who refuse to
have women serve as deacons will grow up. That’s what I mean by arrogance.
Looking down on those who don’t share belief on disputable matters.
Instead, the Spirit urges believers to
be loving and considerate to one another. Because after all everything is done
as to the Lord anyway. For Paul, believing this meant that all foods were now ‘clean’ and that,
though keeping holy days might help devotion, a Christian was free to observe
special days or not, provided this was done with a desire to honour the Lord.
And these are the one whom the Spirit
calls strong.
Look again at the text. Verse one –
the weak are those who still rely on the traditions and rules to stay out of trouble.
The weak are those who have not yet understood the extent of Christ’s
transforming and reconciling work on the cross. The ‘weak’
have not worked out, or not as fully as Paul has the consequences of believing
in God as creator and Jesus as the crucified and risen Lord.
The strong are those who know that
nothing can separate us from God’s love. The strong have courage to face the
world share their faith and know that even if they make mistakes Christ will
receive their offering and bless it. The strong are those who walk by faith. Doing
the best they can in the mess they find. Sometimes these are new believers who
just don’t know better. Sometimes these are those who grew up in the church,
who weigh the traditions and seek to follow Christ instead. The strong are
those who see Christ removing barriers between people and between people and
himself.
In my grandfather’s day those who put
up walls of separation were considered strong, but according to this text were
they?
And so how does this text impact us
today? A day when we celebrate baptism, welcome and the selection of leaders
for Christ’s church?
I am convinced on the basis of this
text and every other text concerning the work of Christ that God’s desire is to
build a family from ever nation, language and people. And, I believe the bible
teaches this desire and invitation is unconditional. Such that the first stage
for everyone on the path of faith is to know they belong.
Belong
Leah and Willow must know above all else that they
belong to God, as do we all. Sure, it is only after we believe that we can
confess, “I am not my own, but belong completely to my Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. But that doesn’t change the fact that God has a claim on every human
being from conception.
These two little ones must know God loves them
unconditionally and not because of anything they must do or have done. It is no
different as we look around at each other sitting here right now. Some have
professed faith, some have not. Perhaps some who have did so out of a belief –
a lie - that God requires good behaviour before he loves. I hope none are
confused by that.
Here’s a simple question: do you believe that though
born in sin, God calls you his own and that you belong to him? That you belong
among his people?
If yes, praise God! If no or unsure, might it be that
while the Bible teaches one thing, the church throws up traditions that teach
something else? Or could it be that in your heart God is being held back on
purpose because with the Spirit change comes and that may hurt?
There is no doubt God changes his children from the
inside out; life with Christ involves change from weakness to strength from
muddy motives and habits to pure. But it all starts with Redeeming love and the
conviction that we belong to God. Let’s not fail these two little girls or
anyone else who is a part of this community.
Belief
The second reality, I see in scripture is that with
assurance of belonging, belief in Christ is far more likely. We are Christ’s
ambassadors, says the Spirit. And as ambassadors believers have the privilege of
presenting Christ to all we meet. What kind of presentation is that on Sunday
or through the week? Are we like the government office requiring forms and
stamps and jumping through hoops to finally be welcome? Or are we the people
who welcome others because we know that God has welcomed us first?
The truth is that unless people feel welcome, they
will have a hard time believing in the one who sends such a welcome committee.
Are the social circles open? Are newcomers welcome?
Can new comers understand the language spoken? Can they see the passion of
Jesus in how things are said and done? Children know early on what is truly
important to their parents; they cannot be fooled. As they grow that skill is
not lost. Genuine faith softens hearts and those hearts can more readily accept
the Spirit.
So that’s belonging and belief which leads ultimately
to behaviour.
Behaviour
The text reassures us that “If we live, we live to the
Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong
to the Lord.” I know a man who came to Christ in his 50s. He had been baptized and
lived life as he saw fit. One day he began attending church and received the
welcome of the congregation. Got involved and made friends. A couple of years
later he sat through a service and at the end felt an odd but amazing warmth.
He had an experience of the Spirit, which was the moment of his accepting
Christ and all his promises. New life begun just as I’ve described. But here’s
the thing – he’s still working through his bad habits and ungodly behaviour.
It seems plain that saving faith does not immediately
fix bad behaviour; just like good behaviour does not guarantee saving faith.
Friends this part of life in Christ with his people is messy. All must
therefore learn to live together without looking down their noses at one
another or implying for a moment that God is more pleased with one style of
behaviour than with another.
Bearing in mind of course that all are accountable for what they know. Accountable
for what we know so there is no excuse. Check verse 12.
This means that we should treat each other with humility and grace.
Pointing out error knowing we have plenty to hear about also. And then having
conversation to be sure if is there is a valid problem after all. To be sure
that it isn’t simply a disputable matter, a matter of personal taste, which
should just be left alone as a show of spiritual maturity.
In history, John Calvin did not want a split church; he wanted renewal
in the only church there is. Sinful humanity made that impossible; believers
are called to unity. Had that happened 500 years ago my great grandmother and
her son could have enjoyed worship together regularly. How much division and
strife and how many have left faith all together because too often right behaviour
has been more important that belief in the living God.
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