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The Work of
God
“Do not destroy the work of God for
the sake of food.” (Romans
14:19)
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Many, reading the above, would shudder
at the thought. And rightly so. The very idea, demolishing something
that God has worked at -- for what?! Food?!
“What type of person would do such a
thing?!” we may say. “Such a one is not fit to live!”
A study of the text reveals the type of
person who ‘would do such a thing.’ And though we may not wish to admit
it, the text sadly reveals that too often we may be that person.
This text, Romans 14, discusses brethren
who didn’t see things quite the same. They had different views about a
particular matter. Now, neither were wrong in the view they held -- they
simply had different views about a matter toward which God was
indifferent.
The primary illustration of the chapter
concerns itself with 1st century scruples about the eating of
meats. Some brethren in the church at Rome couldn’t in all good
conscience eat certain meats. We’re not told if they were former Jews
(recall that the Mosaical law forbade the eating of certain ‘unclean’
meats) or if they were former pagan idolaters (idol-worship often
included the sacrificing of meat), but the conscience of these wouldn’t
allow them to eat these things.
Others had no problems whatsoever in
eating. They not only understood that “every creature of God is good,
and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving” (1
Timothy 4:4), but as well had no conscientious scruple about the matter.
One brother could eat these meats --
another brother felt that he himself could not.
How were they to treat each other? Paul
commanded them, “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also
received us, to the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).
The brother who could not in good
conscience eat these meats was told to not “judge him who eats.”
The reason was, “for God has received him” (14:3).
On the other hand, the brother who had
no qualms with eating these meats was instructed to not “despise him
who does not eat” (vs. 3). Additionally, he was urged to “resolve
this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in [his]
brother’s way” (vs. 13). He was not to flaunt his liberty and
freedom of conscience, or at least not in a way that would cause his
brother to spiritually stumble. And he was told, “therefore let us
pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may
edify another” (vs. 19). And then Paul said, “Do not destroy the
work of God for the sake of food.”
Beloved, don’t miss the import of Paul’s
words. Our brethren are the “work of God”! Every disciple in
coming to Christ is the result of the working of God’s eternal purpose.
How could anyone think of destroying what God has “worked” in an
individual?
Would we offend a brother or sister just
to have our way? Would we issue ultimatums if we didn’t get it? Even if
it meant hurting a brother’s feelings, would we do something just
because ‘we have the right’? (News flash: We don’t!) Would we push some
man-made tradition on one or more disciples, even to the point of
division? “Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food!”
It is in this very context that Paul
says, “for the kingdom of God is not food and drink.” The kingdom
of God is not about the exercising of our petty little rights. Not at
all! The kingdom of God demands that we serve our brethren, even to the
point of giving up our rights.
All of this is to say this: OUR BRETHREN
MATTER! They are the “work of God.” They should be treated with
gentleness and kindness. God forbid that we would carelessly annihilate
that for which He has worked!
--Mike Noble
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