Location and TimesRomans 14:2-3 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.
The discussion is over what to eat or not to eat. One of the believers feels like it would be ok to eat and another says no. How are we to react over these “grey areas” and our treatment of each other. We are family! Our salvation is not determined by these things that are questionable. Here we are not talking about salvation, the blood of Christ, the Word of God, etc. We are talking about eating herbs. Do we eat them or not?
So how are to we treat each other? Many times we divide over these things but the Holy Spirit, here, says one is not to despise or look down on the other and the second brother is not to judge the first. There is no Biblical talk about dividing over these areas!
I think there is a major problem in our churches and among brothers in Christ. The one that takes the liberty to do a certain thing begins to think that he is more mature and flaunt his liberty before others. He acts superior. He acts like the one who chooses not to eat the herbs is dumb. He mocks him.
That is not what God tells us to do in this passage. He tells us not to despise or look down on his brother.
The other brother goes to the opposite extreme. He thinks the other person doesn’t love God, isn’t pleasing God, and cannot have the power of God on his life. He seems to indicate the other brother obviously hasn’t read his Bible, hasn’t prayed about it, is living in open rebellion and therefore is not a good Christian.
That, again, is not what God tells us to do in this passage. He tells us not to judge or be critical.
There are non essential areas in our lives. We should agree on the great foundational truths and give our brothers their liberty in Christ.