Absolutely Demonstrate Gracious Love as People Grounded in True Faith. How? ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

Thus far Paul has told us how truly sinful and undeserving we are. Then he explained that Jesus Christ paid the price for our sin on the cross. He took upon Himself the full weight of our sin. Therefore, we are saved through faith in His completed work. Thus, there was nothing we could have done to save ourselves. Neither can we live this life as Christians were it not for the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Even our faith is a gift from God. Thereby, “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God. He IS our eternal security. Knowing all that. Why do we still find it hard to absolutely demonstrate gracious love to our brothers and sisters in Christ?

We, the people grounded in the true faith of God must understand the liberty in which we live. Our position is to seek Him in every decision of life. To recognize He is our joy, our helper, our constant companion, and guide in all that we do. Without Him, my choices are weak and usually wrong. Yet how quickly do we let life draw us away from realizing His constant presence. We become caught up in ourselves and so often want to believe we have greater faith than others. Or perhaps we struggle and fight to try so hard to work our way to being sufficiently righteous and loved. Thus, many of the squabbles and differences between brothers and sisters in Christ. Hence Paul addresses a part of these issues in Romans 14. Revealing how a people grounded in true faith could absolutely demonstrate gracious love as a person in Christ.

Absolutely Demonstrate Gracious Love to Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not to have quarrels over opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but the one who is weak eats only vegetables. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14:1-4 NASB

As you may note, Paul is not saying we are to accept blatant sin without saying anything. Yet, there are many taboos. Some would argue to have a drink of an alcoholic beverage is a sin. Others would proclaim it to be a liberty which we may partake in. Some are vegetarians and condemn any meat, while others see eating meat as being a liberty we might enjoy. The same could be said of tatoos, watching movies, wearing anything except dresses and the list goes on. Therefore, what are we to do within the church walls?

Well, first Paul says, invite them into the fellowship. Growing up so tied to “works proof”, I found I failed most often. Falling into sin so easily. I felt most of the time ashamed to go to the very on who loved me most. My Lord and Savior. Oh certainly, I prayed and pleaded for Him to show me how; but kept trying to do it myself. For that reason. It is truly hard for me to remain as gracious as I should. Particularly with those who do not understand liberty in Christ.

What Do I Mean by Liberty?

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage…. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Galatians 5: 1, 4-5 KJV

That is not a freedom to sin. For never will the Spirit draw us to sin. He is always working for our sanctification that we may be more like Christ each day we live. But some of the things we squabble over are not sins unless our heart condemns us in doing it. Then for us it would be sin.

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Galatians 5:13-18

How can I remain grounded in Faith and Demonstrate Gracious Love to Others?

That is part of what Paul is trying to help us understand. I am not better or stronger in faith because I declare that my righteousness is in Christ Alone. That would be a devastating pride. As much as is within me, I am to try to live peaceable with others. Now if I am firm in my faith, holding fast to God’s words. Then I will not be upset when others try to chain me. I would smile, order vegetarian with the vegetarians not because I have to. Rather as an act of love to not concern them. Wear dresses where I know the others would be uncomfortable. They know I wear pants as well, but no one is offended either way. That is what Paul goes on to say.

But as for you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you as well, why do you regard your brother or sister with contempt? For we will all appear before the judgment seat of God. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, to Me every knee will bow And every tongue will give praise to God.” So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let’s not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way. Romans 14:10-13 KJV

Therefore, all who accepted Christ as Lord and Savior will stand before Him. I must surrender my body as a living sacrifice unto Him each day. Let the Holy Spirit guide me and remain steady in my Bible Study and prayer.

What about the Days we study?

For example, I fast one day per week. Not because it is commanded. Rather, it is like a reset button for my heart. That doesn’t mean you need that kind of reset button. Usually my day to fast is on Saturday. Sometimes events cause me to change the day. I need one day to totally focus on Jesus. It helps me be more grounded in faith. Never however, would I suggest that your journey must look like mine.

Nor would I tell you that only Sunday can be the day of worship. I have some very dear friends that are Seventh Day Adventist. They do believe with all sincerity that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. Furthermore, many can quote the Bible better than I. (Well, my memory is not what it used to be back when I proudly could quote much of scripture.) Perhaps pride was why God dampened my memory with chemotherapy.

Often it is pride that causes us to look down upon othersin Christ. Particularly, those whom do not have the same sense of liberty in Christ.

One person values one day over another, another values every day the same. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and the one who eats, does so with regard to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and the one who does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat, and he gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Romans 14: 5-9 NASB

Demonstrate Gracious Love to Others in Christ

Therefore let’s not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to the one who thinks something is unclean, to that person it is unclean. For if because of food your brother or sister is hurt, you are no longer walking in accordance with love. Do not destroy with your choice of food that person for whom Christ died. Romans 14:13-15 NASB

During Paul’s days, food had been sacrificed to idols. Therefore, some felt that so offensive they could not in a clean conscience eat of that food. However, we who know God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the only true God . We know the other gods are not even real. What offense can there be. God told Peter to call nothing He has made unclean when he placed a platter before him. There were health reasons during the Old Testament times that made some foods unclean as they led to health problems. Perhaps we could say the same of much of our processed foods today.

But still, it does not alter the fact. While with a vegetarian, I do not need to flaunt my freedom to eat meat. Nor am I lying and saying, I do not eat meat. I just do not have to today so as not to offend or cause them to sin. Whether that only be their thoughts.

I certainly would not have a drink in front of someone who is an alcoholic. That is if I drank.

We, grounded in our liberty and faith, absolutely must demonstrate Gracious love

Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For the one who serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by other people. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the person who eats and causes offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother or sister stumbles. Romans 14: 16-21 NASB

So, why stubbornly insist on eating meat or drinking in front of someone it might cause to stumble. Or to give fuel to gossip unnecessarily.

Now What About Me?

Well for me I walk a somewhat cautious line. Having been trapped in a legalism that drowned my faith at times. I must be even more diligent in clinging to Christ day and night. Otherwise, I will stray toward condemning myself for everything I do,. Or I will become overly critical of those who must cling to the legalistic side. They may be there because of sins of their own past which keep them tied tight for fear of falling. But it is not for me to judge them. To each of us, we stand because of Christ and Christ alone. My righteousness is built in Him.

The faith which you have, have [as your own conviction before God. Happy is the one who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But the one who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14:22-23 NASB

I wish to close with this:

I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord…. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified. But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. Psalms 40:1-3, 16,17 KJV

Let us each day wait patiently for the Lord. He pulled me out of the miry clay of despair and set my feet upon a rock. That rock is Jesus. Therein, He gave me a new song. I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me. The Lord be magnified.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

¹ J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

English Standard Version (ESV)

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