Sept 18, 2008:  “Rigidity without Liberty is Supidity!  Part 3”

Our Quote for Today: (part two)

“There are two ways in which we may govern our lives.  The first is through rigidity.  The second is through liberty.  One tends to rules.  The other--relationship!”

Good Morning!  Do you know somebody in your life that always seems to be critical of other Christians?  How about somebody who tends to judge every little nuance of others?  More importantly, have you ever found yourself guilty of being critical or judgmental of those around you?  Well, friend, if you’re like everybody else in this world, then of course you have-at least on occasion, right?!?

Today we will be continuing-on with our study of Romans 14:1-5; it is my aim to further elaborate upon the different applications of rigidity and liberty as they relate to our thoughts and behavior.  Specifically, I will show you from verse three what Paul teaches us about criticism and judgment.

Romans 14:3 says, “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”. Now, to comprehend the truth contained within this verse it is imperative that we carefully consider Paul’s usage of pronouns as they relate to the context laid out in verse two

Last week, we saw that the “one who eateth” is the Christian who is governed primarily by the liberty of the Holy Spirit, while the “one who eateth not” keeps his focus upon rigidity, or a rules-based governance.

Keeping that in mind, in verse three we see in the first clause that “him that eateth” (that is to say, the Christian who exhibits Spirit-controlled liberality) is instructed to not despise-or criticize-”him that eateth not” (the rigid and rule-controlled Christian). Likewise, in the second clause Paul tells “him that eateth not” (rule led Christians) to not judge “him that eateth “ (liberty led Christians).

So, therefore, we can conclude the following:  People who are liberty-focused tend to be critical of those who are not liberty led, and people who are rigid and rules focused tend to be judgmental of others who are not.

This begs the question: Where do I land?   What type of Christian am I and what type ought I to be?  How about you?

Are you judgmental? Do you find yourself telling others what they ought to do and what they ought not to do, or are you eager to always tell people when they are wrong? If so, you could at times struggle with rigidity and that can cost you some of your valuable Christian liberty. God doesn’t pour out His Spirit upon judgemental Christians.

Or are you more of a critical person?  Do you find yourself saying negative things about people who appear as “rule followers” but are a bit apathetic in thier appreciation for their salavation?   If so, then you probably tend to have the great possession of Christian liberty.  But how long will that last if you are a critic and comparing yourself among yourselves?  Your critical thoughts will quench your Spirit and limit your liberty.  With less liberty and a lack of focus on rules, you will be in danger of something much more dangereous than the self righteous rigid one.  You will be in danger of unrighteous rebellion.

Personally, I find that I have a tendency to want to criticize those who are dominated by rules and boundaries; thus, it is apparent that I tend to focus on liberty.  Sometimes I tend to want to be critical of a preacher or teacher that drills me with exhortations to conduct my life by a set of rules and boundaries that are not consistent with the way the Holy Spirit leads me. . . But this is WRONG!  The Word of God clearly states that I am to not be critical of those who “don’t eat meat”-or those who are rigid and rule-governed.   Looking back to Romans 14:1, I see that I have only one obligation: to embrace the rigid so that I may help to show them a better way-the Spirit filled walk that leads to liberty!

On the other side of the aisle we are also instructed by Paul to not judge “him that eateth”, or him that is governed by the liberty of the Spirit.  Why are we not to judge?  Well, the third clause of Romans 14:3 says, for God hath received him.  Now friend, who is the pronoun, “him”, that concludes this verse referring to? It’s referring to “him that eateth”!  So Paul, without any ambiguity, declares that God receives “him that eateth”-that is to say, God receives those who lead their life by the liberty granted them by the Holy Spirit! Therefore, brethren, we too must also receive those whose walk has produced a spiritually liberation!

Clearly, through this verse of scripture, Paul leaves us no room to be critical or judgmental.  I pray, friend, that you and I will hide this truth in our hearts; that we may consider with greater care the next time we begin to meditate upon critical or judgmental thoughts, and that we will be moved to make personal adjustments in the way we view various people and circumstances!

Have a wonderful day IN the Lord,

Steven Curington