Romans 14:3-4 Let not him that eats despise him that eats not; and let not him which eats not judge him that eats: for God has received him.… I. THE CHRISTIAN IS THE SERVANT OF GOD. The highest designation he can wear. Worn by Christ, angels, the best of men. He is the servant of God. 1. By creation. He was made to serve — to glorify God. 2. By purchase, and at what a cost — the precious blood of Christ. 3. By willing consecration. II. THE SERVANT OF GOD IS RESPONSIBLE TO HIS MASTER. 1. To Him supremely in indisputable duties. Christians are under obligations to their fellow-men in innumerable matters, but largely because their fellow-men in certain relationships are the representatives of God. We cannot pay our debts to God directly, but we conform to the Divine law of honesty by paying our creditors. The servant discharges her duties to God through diligent domestic service. 2. To Him only in doubtful matters. Upon matters about which there is no clear Divine pronouncement, and in conforming or nonconforming to which our only guide is conscience, our only referee is God. This is obvious from the very fact that men differ so widely about them, and from the fact, too, that so often variant opinions are right. The man who ate only herbs was right — they agreed with his constitution, and were not forbidden by Divine law. The man who ate meat was right — it nourished his body, and was allowed by the law of Christ. Circumstances, however, might make either harmful or wrong. Who was to be the judge here? Not another, for no man has a perfect knowledge of the whole of another man's circumstances. The obvious appeal therefore is to the omniscient God. (1) To God he stands. He must learn from God what is right in given circumstances. If he obeys he stands before God upright. And no man must impugn his moral rectitude. (2). If he disobeys, acts contrary to the promptings of conscience and the indications of providence, he falls. He has fallen from his moral rectitude. But this being a matter between a man and his Maker, it is criminal for his fellow-creature to interfere. III. THIS MASTER WILL UPHOLD HIS SERVANT (Romans 16:25; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 1:24). 1. He has promised to do so. (1) To guide him by His counsel, so that he shall safely thread his way through stumbling-blocks over which he might fall. (2) To uphold him with His right hand when in slippery places where he might fall. The promise of God's supporting grace covers the whole of life. 2. This promise is very — (1) Needful. Were the Christian left to the instincts of an unenlightened conscience, or to the judgment of his fellow-mortals, he would be most unsafe. Hence the need of that infallible wisdom and almighty strength he has in God. (2) Encouraging. If the Lord is on our side we may be independent of man's censures, and have the comfort of His witness that we are in the right. (3) Admonitory. Beware, then, of uncharitable estimates. If the brother you condemn is approved of God, you impugn God's judgment. Hence the indignant, "Who art thou?" etc.Conclusion. In disputable matters. 1. Let each mind his own business. 2. Let each see that his business is pleasing to God. (J. W. Burn.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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