Just the Word, Please

Romans 14:1-9

One church demands that their women wear head coverings. Another forbids men to have long hair. A third forbids wearing women from wearing pants. One preacher claims that any Bible but the King James of 1611is Satanic. Churches and pastors disagree on styles of music, order of church services, and how missions is to be supported. What should we do?

The church at Corinth had gotten caught up in many similar questions, and the entire book of I Corinthians is devoted to how they should deal with the different issues. I Corinthians 3:1-4 explains why they became issues in the first place. “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?”

The very fact that they were involved in these controversies demonstrated that they were not spiritual. The focus on a particular man or his teaching was another evidence of their lack of spiritual leading. That same carnal attitude prevented them from understanding more than just the most basic Christian doctrines. As I Corinthians 2:14 states, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” The carnal Christian functions as a natural man, though he has the Holy Spirit.

Often those who are caught up in such controversies think they are more spiritual than those who are not, and the church at Corinth was no exception. Involvement in the controversies, regardless of the position taken, indicates a carnal attitude according to I Corinthians 11:19. “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” Beginning in Romans 14, Paul explains how to avoid leading others to the same carnal state as the church at Corinth. He starts with a very clear command.

“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” (Romans 14:1)

We are not to involve new or weak Christians in questionable doctrine. How do we know what is unquestionable? II Peter 1:19-21 declares, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

The scripture is sure, because it is what God has said, and as John 17;17 says, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Romans 3:4 makes it clear that only God can be depended on for truth. “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar.” II Timothy 3:16-17 declares that the scripture alon provides all tha tis needed to serve God completely. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

As a result, Paul gives Timothy a command as to what he ids to teach in II Timothy 4:1-2. “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Deuteronomy 4:2 warns, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” We are not to incorporate man’s opinions.

Paul stated, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect,” in I Corinthians 1:17. Only God is qualified to add to his word. Let’s look at some specific examples of how problems arise.

“For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:2-4)

Diet is not to be used as an indicator of spiritual standing. Many times the strongest standards are held by people who are depending on their own actions rather than trusting God. I Timothy 4:1-4 addresses this very problem. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

Sometimes, God may lay it on a person’s heart to do a certain thing for some particular reason such as his direction in Timothy to drink wine instead of water in I Timothy 5:23. “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.” It is not an endorsement of drinking. A special need existed. God’s guidelines are not changed. A person is accountable to God in such a case, not to us. We don’t have the right to prohibit all drinking.

Many in our day believe that it is wrong to celebrate certain holidays, such as Christmas or Easter because of pagan holidays or customs related to the date. Since God did not command Christians either to keep or not to keep them, Paul makes it very clear it is up to the individual. Either way can be used to glorify God. We have no authority to demand others to do as we choose.

“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.” (Romans 14:5-6)

According to I Corinthians 7:23, “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” They are not responsible to us, but to God.

"For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.” (Romans 14:7-9)