Christian Liberty And Unity (Part 1)

We all come from different religious, denominational, and cultural backgrounds with different customs and traditions; we have different upbringings, different personalities, different experiences and testimonies all of which results in us having different perspectives, preferences, and convictions. In addition, we are all at different levels of spiritual maturity. And on top of all that, we are all prone to judge those who think and act differently than us and we tend to fellowship only with those who believe like us and behave like us. It is no wonder there is such a wide variety of churches being started these days because people in their previous church couldn’t get along and didn’t know how to agree to disagree on non-essential matters. Paul’s goal in this passage was to show how unity and diversity can coexist within the body of Christ. He provided THREE LESSONS that we all must learn in order to achieve and maintain unity with fellow believers. If we can learn to live out these lessons we will enjoy truer, closer, deeper, richer, stronger fellowship with one another even though our personal opinions, preferences, and convictions may be different from one another

1. Instead of judging others, accept them (14:1-12)  
   1. A. God accepts us (vv. 1-3)
   2. B. Christ is our Master (vv. 4-9)
   3. C. God will be our judge (vv. 10-12)
2. Instead of hurting others, love them (14:13-23)
3. Instead of pleasing yourself, imitate Christ (15:1-13)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” These questions are designed to help you apply today’s message to your life. We encourage you to thoughtfully answer these questions and discuss your answers with others. For more information about joining a Grow Group that uses these questions as the basis for weekly discussion, prayer, and accountability, please call the church office at (936) 582-1977.

1. What are some issues in the contemporary church that cause disunity among believers much like the issues that were causing disunity in the first century churches in Rome? Have you learned how to agree to disagree or do you separate yourself from those who think or act differently than you?
2. What is the difference between legalism (cf. Mt. 15:9, Col. 2:20-23, 1 Tim. 4:3) and antinomianism (cf. Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet. 2:16)? Which do you lean toward? Which does our church lean toward?
3. In matters of Christian liberty, do you fit into the category of the weak or the strong? Do you judge others or look down on others for their opinions, preferences, or convictions? Have you ever tried to force someone to conform to your opinions, preferences, or convictions?
4. Read Romans 2:14-16. What is the role of your conscience? How can you inform your conscience (cf. 1 Cor. 8:4-13)? What happens when you ignore your conscience (cf. 1 Tim. 1:19; 4:2)? Do you have a clear conscience (cf. Acts 23:1; 1 Tim. 3:9)?
5. Read 1 Corinthians 10:25-33. What can you apply from this passage when it comes to deciding what you should and shouldn’t do in regards to non-essential matters of conscience?
6. Read 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, and 4:1-5. What is the bema seat judgment? Is it something you should be scared of or be looking forward to? Why? How should knowing that you are ultimately answerable to God affect the way you view yourself and others?
7. Thank God for accepting you despite your sinful rebellion against Him. Ask Him to forgive you for being judgmental and critical of fellow believers. Ask Him to help you look past your differences with them and focus on Christ so you can live harmoniously with others in the church.

“In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”