FREE TO HELP, NOT FREE TO HINDER
Romans 14:13-23

Introduction:  (Gal.5:7) “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” We are free from the bondage of the Law. No one has the right to impose his or her rules upon our lives. In Jesus we have perfect and absolute liberty. Liberty is defined as, “The condition of being free from restriction or control; the right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one's own choosing.” There are those who think that they have the right to live as they please. And, they are right, but within reason. Here is what Paul said about the matter, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Cor.6:12. Paul could do anything he wanted to do, but he is to avoid those things that have the potential to control his life. In another passage, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” 1 Cor.10:23. Again, he can do anything he wants to do, but he is to avoid those things that do not “edify”. Our text us today teaches that while we are free, we have a duty to our fellow believer. We are to remember that we are either a stumbling block or a steppingstone to those around us. Again, Paul writes, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” Gal. 5:13-14. We must never forget that while we are free, our freedom is conditioned by how it impacts those around us.

I.          OUR CHRISTIAN LIBERTY INTERPRETED

A.                 Some Things Are Perfectly Neutral (v.14)

·         The controversy that was raging in the Roman Church was whether or not it was right for a child of God to eat meat which had been sacrificed the idols.

·         A chunk of meat is perfectly neutral. It has neither the power to do good or to do evil. It is nothing more than an inanimate object. It cannot lie. It cannot kill or steal. It is neutral. This same truth applies to all material things.

·         The Bible tells us that “For the love of money is the root of all evil...” 1 Tim. 6:10 .  That doesn’t make money evil; it is the attitude of the heart regarding money that can be good or evil. The money itself is absolutely neutral.

B.                 Some Things Are Plainly Spiritual (v.17)

·         Christianity is not a list of rules (external things). Christianity is about a living, vital relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ (internal matter).

·         It is a spiritual matter! It is about “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

·         (Illus: The Bible is clear that there are some things that are off limits However, we need to understand that the don’ts of Christianity are there for our protection. What I have discovered over the years is that when you spend you time doing the dos of the Bible; you won’t have the time or the desire to do the don’ts). (Illus: One of the reasons many people are not Christians is because of Christians. We have allowed ourselves to become so negative and defeated. Instead of “salt and light” we have become “tasteless and dim”. When I see what most Christians have, I don’t want it either! Where are the believers who have a joyful heart? Where are the believers who go to church because they love Jesus? Where are those believers who are excited about their relationship with Christ?)

C.                 Some Things Are Patently Individual (vv.14, 22)

·         We are to settle matters of right and wrong with the Lord, Phil. 2:12.  He will teach us what we can and cannot do!  However, I am not to flaunt my liberty in the face of a weaker brother. It may be perfectly right for me to do certain things, but if they hinder my brother, I am not to do them again, 1 Cor.8:13! 

·         Some would say, “Well, if the Lord says that it is all right for me to do something, then I am going to do as I please. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks.” That is not the language of love! True love and true spirituality says, “I know I can do that, but if my brother sees me it would offend him and cause him problems in his walk with the Lord. Therefore, because I love God and I love my brother, I will not do that thing!”  That is maturity, and that is Christ like love!

II.         OUR CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ILLUSTRATED

A.                 We Are To Show Compassion To Our Brother (vv.13, 15)

·         When we exercise our liberty in Christ and it offends our brother, we have ceased to walk in love. In fact, we have ceased to live for the Lord. 

·         The problem with most believers is that we are completely self-centered! Our overriding thought is, “Does this please me? Do I want to do this?” 

·         We need to come to the place where we care about what we do affecting someone else! Before we do anything, we need to ask ourselves, “Will this hurt my brother? I must be very careful that I do not place a stumbling block in my weaker brother’s path!

B.                 We Are To Make A Contribution To Our Brother (v.19)

When we are considering doing something that we know is all right for us, we must ask ourselves two questions.

·         “Will this action cause peace or division in the church? Will this promote harmony or will it cause a problem.” 

·         “Will my brother grow by seeing me do this, or will his growth be stunted?”  We must be very careful that we do not allow our liberty to hinder the church as a whole, or the individual members in particular. 

C.                 We Are To Walk In Consideration Of Our Brother (v. 21)

·         There are times when we must limit our liberty. There are things that I know would not be wrong for me to do. However, there are people watching my life. Therefore, I don’t do those things, by choice, so that I don’t offend that weaker brother or sister.

·         If I hinder them and cause them to sin, I have not been Christ like, but I have been very selfish!

(Illus: For most of his life, Spurgeon was tobacco user. When he passed a tobacco store that was advertising a certain brand of tobacco. The advertisement said, “The brand that Spurgeon smokes.” And, from that day forward, he never smoked again!) (Note: Every believer in this room, but especially every preacher, every deacon, every Sunday school teacher, every choir member, every leader in every position of this church has a God ordained responsibility to be very careful about how you live your life!  People are watching and will be influenced by what you do!  Your children are watching and will be influenced by what you do!  I pray that every new believer, every young Christian, every young man and young woman who makes up this church  will see the godly example set by the best members of this church and not be influenced by the terrible example of those who just skate around the edges of this thing!)

III.       OUR CHRISTIAN LIBERTY INVESTIGATED

A.                 We Are Investigated Daily By The Eyes Of Men (vv.16, 18)

·         Remember that the world is watching!  And, they judge Jesus by what they see us do!  We should never be the reason for anyone to speak evil of the church, Christianity or the Lord Jesus Christ. 

·         We need to live the kind of life that can stand the test of scrutiny. (Illus: If your co-workers and friends were to be asked to come to this pulpit and tell us what kind of person you really are, would they be able to say, “They are real!”)  Men are watching and what they see from you determines what they think of Jesus!

B.                 We Are Investigated Divinely By The Eyes Of The Master (vv.18. 22-23)

·         Not only are other men watching, but the Lord is watching as well. There is coming a day when each of us will stand before the Lord an give an account of our lives as His children.

·         We should do what we do with assurance of heart. If there is a doubt, leave it out! “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” This means that regardless of what you do in life, if you cannot do it with faith in your heart that it is right in the sight of God, it is a sin to you! 

Conclusion:  As we go through this life, there will be many situations when we will be called upon to make a decision about right and wrong. What we decide in those moments reveals the truth of the condition of our hearts. When we have come to the place where the Lord Jesus and the needs of others come before our own wishes and desires, we have begun the process of maturing in the Lord.