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Truth or Opinion

In Romans 14, Paul tells the young church there to not “argue over opinions”. 

The issue was eating meat or not eating meat. In that day, meat was sold at markets, usually having been offered as sacrifices to idols. Since most of those in the church in Rome had come out of paganism and into the Kingdom of God, some saw eating such meat as having too much connection with an old way of living and being. Others believed that all food was edible when God was given thanks and His blessing was asked for at mealtime. Some thought some days were more important than other while others held that each day was the same: a blessing from God to be grateful for.

Opinions on such topics do not carry the weight of a clear Word from God on a particular subject, which in such cases is NOT opinion at all. Paul writes God’s Words here to keep personal preferences from being the cause of division or judgement between brothers and sisters in Christ. As Paul writes elsewhere, “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit”. 

It is sad that some want to make EVERYTHING in God’s Word a matter of “personal opinion” which we see today will lead people to their own destruction. As Paul warns and writes about such “false teachers” in 1 Timothy 4:1-2 “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.”

But, in matters that are actually about personal opinion, Paul admonishes in Romans 14:4, “Who are you to condemn Someone else’s servants? Their own Master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive His approval.”

What God has made clear to you for your following Him may look somewhat different from His call on someone else’s life. In matters of doctrine and truth, we are all under the same grace to live. Paul writes what he did to exhort the church to keep the main thing the main thing.

The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the truth and historical reality of this formed Christian doctrine and gave birth to, created a new community where His life was lived in and His grace flowed from, where His power would continue to be demonstrated and His Presence known.



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