“In Essentials, Unity. In Non-Essentials, Liberty. In All Things, Charity.” The Evangelical Presbyterian Church seeks to live by these words, and in Romans 14, we find the same sentiments expressed.

Of course, Paul believed in the essentials of the faith – after all, most of this letter is devoted to a clear and compelling explanation of God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ. Paul echoes this essential teaching in 14:9, explaining that Christ had to die and rise again, “so that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.” Moreover, Paul points to the need for all those who trust in Christ to give their lives completely to Him: “Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (14:8). There can be no doubt about and no compromise concerning the basic truths of the gospel.

But at the same time, Paul was aware of Christians’ many differences of opinion over non-essential issues. For example, he points to those who wondered whether it was proper to eat different kinds of food (14:2) – some Gentiles in those days were squeamish about eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols, and some Jews insisted on keeping the dietary laws found in the Law of Moses. In the same way, honest, earnest Christians today have different opinions on the proper mode of baptism, and on the proper way to observe the Sabbath. During our current pandemic, there is now much debate concerning whether it is possible to celebrate the Lord’s Supper during an online worship service, and whether online services should be continued once it is physically safe to gather.

In all such non-essential matters, Paul urges liberty, reminding us that we have no right to judge other servants of Christ (14:4, 10). He reminds us that it is possible for Christians to come to different conclusions, but for the common reason of seeking to be faithful to the same Lord (14:6).

And because so many different opinions exist concerning such non-essentials, Paul urges us to charity, to be more concerned with the welfare and the spiritual health of those who disagree with us. As he says in verse 13, our main goal should be to avoid causing others to stumble, even if that means curtailing our own freedoms to keep from offending others.

So, instead of falling prey to the temptation to “cancel” those who disagree with us, and instead of assuming that we have everything figured out for ourselves, let us truly listen to everyone who loves and trusts the Lord Jesus Christ, measuring all truth according to God’s Word. For how else can we hope to grow closer together and closer to God?

Romans 14:1-13 (NASB)

Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.
2 One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.
3 Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;
8 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.
9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.
11 For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.”
12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this– not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.