Don’t Dispute the Disputable
SCRIPTURE: Romans 14:1-12 
Read the passage
BIO: My name is Cheryl Alexander. I have been a member of FPCO since 1985. I was one of the core group of the original Singles Ministry and have taught Children’s Sunday School, VBS and been involved in many Women’s Bible Studies. I am married to Joe and have a 14-year-old daughter Lindsay.
KEY VERSE: Romans 14:1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
CENTRAL TRUTH: Mature "strong" Christians shouldn’t argue with their "weaker", less mature Christian brother and Sisters over practices or behaviors that are not forbidden in Scripture. Also, "Weaker" Christians should not judge those who are stronger than them.
DEVOTIONAL: Don’t Dispute the Disputable
Are you ever amazed are some of the things that Christians will passionately argue about that cause division amongst believers? Some pretty heated discussions have steamed up over issues like immersion versus sprinkling (no pun intended), having a glass of wine versus abstinence, home schooling Versus Public education, Democrats versus Republicans etc. Differing ideas and opinions are a fact of this earthly human life.
In these passages Paul is instructing the church in Rome to refrain from judging each other over "disputable" matters, disputable meaning opinions or behaviors that are not strictly forbidden in Scripture- i.e. theft, murder, adultery, drunkenness, idol worship. Specifically, the Roman church was developing a rift between the larger, dominant Gentile group that was rejecting the converted Jews who still felt compelled to observe strict dietary laws and also to observe certain days as sacred, holy days. Gentile insisted that this was all part of the "old law". They thought that Jews should abandon these unnecessary and outdated rituals.
Paul admonishes the "stronger" more mature Christians not to look down on their "weaker: less mature Brothers and sisters. He goes on to advise the weaker Christians not to judge their stronger brothers. He explains that in disputable matters we are to follow our own convictions, whether we eat meat or not, whether we observe certain days as holy or not, we should all do so with sincere conviction- and it should always be done while giving thanks to God. One writer points out that Paul is trying to rescue us from the "petty Tyrannies" that can destroy unity and fellowship. We Christians simply don’t have to agree on everything.
Paul concludes that we are only accountable to one Master – God. In the end we all stand before God’s judgment seat and the only things that really matter are our salvation and redemption. Odds are that no one is going to be squabbling over the menu at heavens banquet table, about who was immersed or sprinkles and who are republicans and Democrats. Be prepared to see some astonished, dropped jaw faces as they enter the pearly gates side by side. What and "INdisputably" glorious day that will be!
QUESTION 1: Why is it crucial that we pray for wisdom to discern the absolute commands of scripture verses the disputable? Can you recall personal examples that illustrate this?
QUESTION 2: How does the command to "love one another" apply to these scriptures?
QUESTION 3: Think about what role personal conviction plays in all of this!
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