To question or not to question, that is answer!

One of my favorite shows was Perry Mason. He was a lawyer that would try and solve a crime. The funny part about it was that in most of these episodes, there would be 2-3 people that the possible criminals; but at the end of the show Perry would be cross examining one of the people we all suspected as the real criminal, suddenly some guy that was hardly a part of the story stands up in court screaming “Ok I admit it, I did it!!!” it was fun to watch but not realistic. In a real investigation there are some basic questions that must be answered. Who, what, when, where, why and how?

So it is with discovering what your personal liberties are. If you are serious about being a good steward of your liberties you will be willing to investigate the questions God will bring to you that He desires you to answer.

? Questions that need to be asked ?

Paul writes the text that covers this to the church at Rome.

Romans 14:1-23 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.  One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 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.  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.  One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. 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. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 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. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.  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. For it is written,  "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.  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.  I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.  For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.  Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. 

1. Who am I in danger of offending?

Romans 14:1-3 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.  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.

1 Cor. 8:7-9 However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.  But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.  [9] But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 

This requires us to examine the society we live in. Every society is different, so our ability to flex is essential. What may be very acceptable in one society may be taboo in another. For example, in the depressed areas of the Philippines eating dog is a way of life. They cannot afford other meats. So for my first four years I had dog served from very polite hosts that were trying serve me. However, when I returned to the USA, the only dog I ate was a “hot” dog with mustard and onions! “Lassie come home” can mean various things depending on geography. 

2. Do I have clearance from the Lord on this matter?

Romans 14:5-6 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.

Romans 14:14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

This is simple – is there anything in scripture where this issue is forbidden? If not, then has the Lord given me a personal conviction that I should not participate.

For example, when I came to know Christ I had a clear conscience about still having a beer with my meal. Drunkenness is condemned clearly, but drinking is a liberty issue. After several months I decided to only drink non-alcoholic beer. When I moved to the “Bible-belt” where even the smell of beer will offend, the Holy Spirit brought to my heart the conviction that I should not even drink non-alcoholic beer.  It did not matter what others could do – the Lord wanted me to make sure I offended no one over such a little issue. It was no big deal.

3. Why am I doing this?

Romans 14:6 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.

Romans 14:18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Our motive is very important. If we do what we do only for our own appetites we are misusing our liberties. Whatever we do should always glorify the Lord. We can do that even when it is a very private liberty. God gave us our taste buds, so even if we are enjoying chocolate it can glorify God. He enjoys that we appreciate the ability He has given us to experience different flavors. However, when we glutton out on chocolate we have ceased doing it with Him, but have moved to selfish appetites.

4. Who am I affecting by this?

Romans 14:7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;

Romans 14:15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.

This is more focused than our first question. Here we move from the society we live in to the very close circle of friends and family in our life. For example I may have general liberty to listen to Christian rock, but is it offends my grandmother I will choose not to listen to it when I am with her. This is not hypocrisy; it would be if I denied I listened to it. What I am showing is sensitivity to my grandmother because of my liberty. 

5. What is the final affect of this?

Romans 14:19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

At the end of the day this question must be answered. Liberty was given by God to allow diversity in the Body of Christ and should lead to unity and peace. Believers respecting each other’s convictions in issues that God leaves up to each individual’s conscience. This produces a spirit of grace, which is the opposite of legalism, and in the end brings spiritual maturity. 

6. What is really important to me?

Romans 14:20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.

Here is the gage for where we are in our commitment to the big picture. When we have decided that it is more important helping others to know Christ, than our rights, we bring the real balance of liberties into our life. 

7. Is this of any profit?

1 Cor 12:6 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 

How does this glorify God, edify others and mature me?

8. How will it affect me if I do not do it?

1 Cor 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 

A helpful question to ask ourselves is; what will happen to me if I don’t enjoy this liberty?  This puts the issue in perspective, which we all need. How much different will my life be if I don’t; watch this movie; listen to this music; eat or drink a certain thing? Most times our flesh makes a much bigger deal out of a liberty issue then it is reality.

Meditation Questions: Are you willing to ask the tough questions? Which ones have you asked? When you know that God gives you the freedom to do what you want with so many issues in life, how do you treat that? Why? Name three liberties you have, how did you arrive at the conviction you have and why have you chosen to participate or not participate in that area? How important are other’s liberties to you? Why?