Tolerance necessary for one another: (chap.14)
In the previous chapter the Apostle spoke about the Christian responsibilities in the interpersonal relationships. Since the Church is cosmopolitan group with people coming from various family backgrounds, different ladders in the society, creeds, traditions etc. are to form a unified family with harmonious relationships with Christ as centre. Therefore Paul deals with some of the problems raging in the church.
Avoid difference of opinion over food and special days: (14:1-6):
It is quite possible that a person of strong conscience would look down the weaker ones with regard to food. Sometimes the one who eats meat would look down on the one who eat only vegetables or vice-versa. One may be having a strong conscience towards the particular food. It is not the strong or weak conscience, but it is the maturity towards others. Some Christians in those days also may be vegetarians probably due to their strong conviction towards the meat sacrificed to idols. It is merely a matter of preference and not a moral issue. The one who ate was not to despise the one who did not eat or the one who did not eat should not despise the one who ate. The apostle gave a strict command to welcome people without passing judgement on disputable matters. Further the new members when they come in sincere faith in the Lord Jesus Christ should not be pressurised to remove or stop the things which have no moral issues. A believer is a servant of God and is accountable to God for all his activities and behaviour. Others have no business to question him, unless it is contrary to the word of God or intervening his faith towards God. It is the job of the master, our Lord Jesus Christ. The believer would stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Further a weaker Christian prefers one day special above another, but a stronger Christian considers everyday as special day. Whether special or non-special, one must be fully convinced in his own mind. The specific issues would not matter but the principle behind it matters. But whatever we do, we must do it for the Lord consciously thereby in action we must be able to bring glory and honour to the Lord. In other words, whether we eat a particular thing or not or whether we observe a particular day or not, everything must be done in thanksgiving and should bring glory and honour to the Lord. Hence one should not doubt about their devotion to the Lord.
Our lives belong to Christ: (14:7-9):
A Christian is not a solitude. Our lives are connected to God and others. As long as we live on this world we also live with others. But when we die, we will solely belong to God. So none of us lives for himself. We cannot lead a selfish life or an isolated life just like the monks who practised total isolation. So Paul says: whatever we do, we do it to the Lord, because our Lord Jesus Christ is Lord of both the dead and the living. Christians must act according to the mind and will of God, thereby we please God. For everyone is accountable to God for his or her conduct and behaviour. Since our Christ died and rose again, He is the Lord of both dead and living, his power extends equally to both the living and the dead. He has the power to raise the dead at any given time from any situation. So the entire universe, the dead from ages past and the living, one and all are under His dominion. So every act of ours must please Him and bring glory and honour to Him.
Avoid judging others: (14:10-13):
The strong believers people have often the tendency to despise the weak and the weak have tendency to show contempt against the strong one. It is better to stop worrying about others in the church, but examine oneself of his spiritual condition. The Lord is the ultimate judge and the judgement belongs to Him. We dare not take His job of judging others. But if it is a matter affecting the very salvation, it is the duty of every strong believer to gently counsel the weak ones.
The judgement seat of Christ is something like ‘bema seat’ equivalent to the judge’s seat in Olympic games. After each game the winners come before the judge, and the judge declares the rank of winner. The athletes receive the medals for their exemplary work. Just as written, “every knee shall bow down and every tongue shall confess the Lord” every person must face the Lord after the rapture. Our work will tested by fire and based on it we will receive rewards. The judgement seat of Christ is concerned with Christian’s rewards and position in the Kingdome of God, but the eternal destination will not at stake since we have already salvation through Christ. Our account will be settled based on our good work. The Lord Jesus said in His parable of talents too, “well done oh! good and faithful servant.” So each servant received the rewards as per their work.
Therefore let each believer stop passing rash comments, because judgement belongs to the Lord. The Lord knows who should be condemned and who should be acquitted. A believer should not become a stumbling block to a converted Jew or gentile Christian, lest the sin of commission fall on us. God. But it is the responsibility of a mature believer to gently teach a new believer if he or she follows the rites and ceremonies which would interfere his spiritual growth.