For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. Because God hath received them; and we reflect upon him if we reject those whom he hath received. We live to glorify him in all the actions and affairs of life; we die, whether a natural or a violent death, to glorify him, and to go to be glorified with him. Divine honour is due to him, and must be paid. Concerning days, v. 5. All his foes shall be constrained to do it, whether they will or no. That healing method is not the less excellent for being common: in things necessary let there be unity, things unnecessary let there be liberty, and in both let there be charity, then all will be well quickly.Have it to thyself before God. Because they are servants to their own master (v. 4): Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? There is no doubt about that point, for in Genesis 15:6 we read, "He believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.". We must not pin our faith upon any one's sleeve, nor make the practice of others our rule; but follow the dictates of our own understanding. (2.) And why dost thou that art strong set at nought thy brother that is weak? John 14:19 . 4. Historical Books 6. What he says has application to more than just eating meat. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 14, Spurgeon's Verse Expositions of the Bible, One of over 125 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is from the most widely read and often quoted preacher in history, Charles Haddon Spurgeon When we admonish or rebuke, we do it over clear Scriptural principles, not over doubtful things. Did Christ quit a life for souls, such a life, and shall not we quit a morsel of meat for them? Romans 12:13-14. The apostle seems willing to let the ceremonial law wither by degrees, and to let it have an honourable burial; now these weak Romans seem to be only following it weeping to its grave, but those Galatians were raking it out of its ashes. Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. In these indifferent things, though we must never contradict our persuasion, yet we may sometimes conceal it, when the avowing of it will do more hurt than good. So that, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's, devoted to him, depending on him, designed and designing for him. i. We neither live to ourselves nor die to ourselves. II. See Matt 18 6, 10. First be persuaded that what you do is lawful, before you venture to do it." Secondly, It is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. Minor Prophets according to the flesh: who are Israelites; to whom , The Pastor's Parting Blessing THIS chapter contains Paul's loving salutation to the various Christians dwelling at Rome. Romans 8:2. We find Jews at Rome believing, Acts 28 24. Major Prophets 3. 20 For meat destroy not the work of God. The beginning of sin is as the letting forth of water; we are not sure that it will stop any where on this side of eternal destruction. And, in our past lives, we did indeed find sin to be very fruitful. This is true Christianity, which makes Christ all in all. If we are troubled by something, it likely isnt of faith and likely is sin for us. C.H. The Leading of the Spirit, the Secret Token of the Sons of God January 1, 1970 The Leading of the Spirit, the Secret Token of the Sons of God "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."Romans viii. conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy CHILDREN are expected to bear some likeness to their parent. Spurgeon left this earth for his heavenly hope in 1892. Not one that hath given up his name to Christ is allowedly a self-seeker; it is contrary to the foundation of true Christianity. No fruits are on the table; no wines are in the bottles of the promise; I come to the sanctuary, but I find no comfort; I turn to the Bible, but I find no solace; I fall on my knees, but even the stream of prayer seems to be a dry brook. Observe his description of true Christians, taken from their end and aim (v. 7, 8), and the ground of it, v. 9. It is a prophecy, in general, of Christ's dominion; and here very fully applied to the judgment of the great day, which will be the highest and most illustrious exercise of that dominion. It may not be that the thing itself is clearly good or bad, but it is enough that God speaks to us about the matter. Romans 5:1. 14 23) that it were evil to ask his father's blessing, that mispersuasion would make it become evil to him: but, if he should be as verily persuaded that it were good to curse his father, this would not make it become good. They may be malnourished (by lack of good teaching). We have reason to think, because in other things he conducts himself like a good Christian, that in this also his eye is single, and that he regardeth it unto the Lord; and God will accept of his honest intention, though he be under a mistake about the observance of days; for the sincerity and uprightness of the heart were never rejected for the weakness and infirmity of the head: so good a master do we serve. He has the love and favour of God; his person, his performances, are accepted of God, and we need no more to make us happy. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Because some Christian saw nothing wrong in this meat and others saw much wrong in it, this was a burning issue among believers in Pauls day. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food: If eating or drinking something will stumble another brother, then we are not free to eat or drink in that circumstance. Well, this was the disease, and we see it remaining in the church to this day; the like differences, in like manner mismanaged, are still the disturbers of the church's peace. i. Pauline Epistles Our end and aim: not self, but the Lord. Brethren, my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might he saved. All rights reserved. If they are dead, they have already given up their account, and let that suffice. We can discourage or beat them down through our legalism against them, or we can do it by enticing them to sin through an unwise use of our liberty. Our Master had foretold that offences would come; and, it seems, so they did, for want of that wisdom and love which would have prevented discord, and kept up union among them. We must take heed of saying or doing any thing which may occasion our brother to stumble or fall; the one signifies a less, the other a greater degree of mischief and offencethat which may be an occasion. When he shall come in the clouds, and every eye shall see him, then, and not till then, will all those promises which speak of his victories over his enemies and their subjection to him have their full and complete accomplishment; then his foes shall be his footstool, and all his enemies shall lick the dust. You are no longer walking in love: The issue now is not my personal liberty; it is walking in love towards one whom Jesus loves and died for. The gospel dispensation is in a special manner called the kingdom of God, in distinction from the legal dispensation, Matt 3 2; 4 17. And he that doubteth This verse is a necessary part of the preceding, and should be read thus: But he thatdoubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith. Those are most pleasing to God that are best pleased with him; and they are those that abound most in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. But why do you judge your brother? If a weak Christian doubts whether it be lawful to eat flesh, while he remains under that doubt he had best forbear, till he be fully persuaded in his own mind. When to awake; Now; and to awake out of the sleep of carnal security, sloth, and negligence; out of the sleep of spiritual death, and out of the sleep of spiritual deadness. Those who thought themselves still under some kind of obligation to the ceremonial law esteemed one day above anotherkept up a respect to the times of the passover, pentecost, new moons, and feasts of tabernacles; thought those days better than other days, and solemnized them accordingly with particular observances, binding themselves to some religious rest and exercise on those days. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. _There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit._ No condemnation: that is the beginning of the chapter. Observe, The same for whom Christ died (v. 15) are here called the work of God; besides the work that is wrought for us there is a work to be wrought in us, in order to our salvation. I have broken away from its thralldom; the new law, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, the law of grace has set me free from the domination of the law of sin and death. 11 14. Do not censure the practice of others; let them enjoy their own opinion; if they be persuaded in their own mind that they ought to do so and so, do not condemn them, but, if your sober sentiments be otherwise, do not make their practice a rule to you, any more than you must prescribe yours as a rule to them. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. Take heed of acting contrary to the dictates of a doubting conscience. Might I limit the sense of them, it should be thus:As to God, our great concern is righteousnessto appear before him justified by the merit of Christ's death, sanctified by the Spirit of his grace; for the righteous Lord loveth righteousness. These words are not spoken to those who are dead in sin, but , Concern for Other Men's Souls The business of our lives is not to please ourselves, but to please God. As to ourselves, it is joy in the Holy Ghostthat spiritual joy which is wrought by the blessed Spirit in the hearts of believers, which respects God as their reconciled Father and heaven as their expected home. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Lawful things may be done unlawfully.Eats with offence, either carelessly or designedly giving offence to his brethren. [1.] Clearness in doubtful matters contributes very much to our comfortable walking, as it frees us from those scruples, jealousies, and suspicions, which those who have not such clearness are entangled in endlessly. Think what thou destroyestthe work of God, whose work is honourable and glorious; think for what thou destroyest itfor meat, which was but for the belly, and the belly for it. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. If the contending parties will but submit to this fair arbitration, each abate of his rigour, and sacrifice their differences to their graces, all will be well quickly. Or why do you show contempt for your brother? Wisdom Literature Another rule here prescribed is to those who are clear in these matters, and know their Christian liberty, yet to take heed of using it so as to give offence to a weak brother. Receive the one who is weak in the faith: These are words to take seriously. Given to hospitality. Legalism has a way of making us think that we are strong and those who dont keep the rules the way we do are weak. Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete), Matt 14 19; 15 36; Luke 9 16; John 6 11; Matt 26 26, 27; Acts 27 35. If he conscientiously deny himself that which he takes to be forbidden fruit, yet he blesses God that of other trees in the garden he may freely eat. Romans 12:2. None know but those that experience it how great both the restraining and the constraining power of conscience is. In judging and censuring our brethren, we meddle with that which does not belong to us: we have work enough to do at home; and, if we must needs be judging, let us exercise our faculty upon our own hearts and ways.To his own master he stands or falls; that is, his doom will be according to his master's sentence, and not according to ours. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. have it to thyself before God. 2018 David Guzik No distribution beyond personal use without permission, The Whole Bible Pentateuch "Nay, God doth not only receive him, but hold him up, v. 4. Our love is the true measure of our obedience to God. 2. As we tender the reputation of the good we profess and practise, let us so order it that it may not be evil spoken of. Why should you spend your zeal either for or against those things which are so minute and inconsiderable in religion? Romans 8. This is a will to do evil; for, if it appears to us to be sin, there is the same pravity and corruption of the will in the doing of it as if really it were a sin; and therefore we ought not to do it. The free Christian found it easy to show contempt against his brother, regarding him as a uptight-legalistic-goody-good. . Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year. i. Pentateuch "Why then is not the hurt of the daughter of my people recovered," but because his directions are not followed? Weak and strong Christians are indeed our brethren, but they are not our servants. Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. 4. If we would know what way we walk in, we must enquire what end we walk towards. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. It was not only from the revelation made to Peter in this matter, but from the tenour and tendency of the whole gospel, and from the manifest design of Christ's death in general, that Paul learned to count nothing common or unclean. (2) All men need a Savior. The advantages of it. 21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. But this would not serve any more than Paul's erroneous conscience would justify his rage against Christianity (Acts 26 9), or theirs, John 16 2. See this case explained, 1 Cor 8 9-11. Every knee and every tongue, either freely or by force. Let not your Christian friendship and fellowship be disturbed with such vain janglings and strifes of words.Not to judge his doubtful thoughts (so the margin), "not to pump out his weak sentiments concerning those things which he is in doubt about, that you may censure and condemn him." Wisdom Literature i. Trapp on I know and am convinced: Many, on the contrary, are persuaded before they know; and such will not be persuaded to know.. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. But here is a caution he gives to those who had not that clearness in this matter which he had: To him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, though it be his error, yet to him it is unclean. Let this flesh and blood in which your body dwells be presented unto God, not to be killed and to be a dead sacrifice, but to live and still to be a sacrifice, a living sacrifice unto God, holy and acceptable to him. 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