WHATSOEVER IS NOT OF FAITH IS SIN

Romans 14:22-23 Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

As we read through this chapter of Paul's epistle to the Roman Christians, we are assured that he, once a well-educated Pharisee committed to Jewish law, now believed that, under the Christian Dispensation, the old law, regarding the eating of certain meats, had been eliminated. Now, Paul firmly states that there is to be no spiritual distinction between any foods. In the previous verse 14, Paul confirmed this as he said, I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself. However, he also maintains that the eating of certain meats is not to be done if it may be offensive to a weak Christian and cause them to stumble. The question opening the lesson text states, Hast thou faith? We know that Paul's faith allowed him to eat of any meat - as a newborn Christian, this was a tenet within Paul's new faith.

However, he adds this about his faith: have it to thyself before God. As a Christian, Paul now believed that he could eat all types of food without making a spiritual distinction, but he also understood that in doing so, his actions may be offensive to others. Therefore, he would not force this belief on them as essential in New Testament Law. Why? Because it was a non-issue. It didn't make any difference one way or another, in the eyes of God. Private opinions, about the eating of meats, or about any other matter that is of no spiritual significance, should be just that - private! Making an issue out of such things only causes disharmony, disunity, and divisiveness within the body of Christ. This is the sin; not whether one eats or abstains from eating of certain meats. Your personal opinion is not offensive to God as long as it does not conpromise His Holy Word, and long as it is not offensive to others - does not put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way (Vs. 13).

This was Paul's belief, and with it his conscience was at rest. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. Paul was at peace with himself; he was guilt-free because he knew he was doing what was right in the sight of God. Notice what the apostle John wrote about this very topic. He said, And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him, for if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God (1 John 3:19-21). The person that, with assurance, knows the truths found in God's word, and does them, will never be condemned by their conscience. When one's conscience does condemn us, then one must refrain from the action, or thing that brings about the guiltiness. However, God will never hold us accountable for refraining from eating certain meats even though the eating of them is approved in His sight.

The safe path to follow is, if we have doubts about a certain practice, we should refrain from doing it. Happiness and peace of mind comes from a clear conscience - when we do not feel condemnation for our thoughts and actions. Paul, as well as the apostle John, both said that we are not to allow ourselves to do the things that condemn us. He that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith. If one's heart damns us (which here means only condemns us) if we eat certain meats, then we should not eat such. Why? Because we will suffer from a guilty conscience - we will be in an unhappy state of mind. In the eyes of God, whether we eat or abstain, we have not sinned, and are not condemned.

Then we should refrain from any action that we believe to be in error - anything that would give us a guilty conscience, for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. The writer of the Hebrew letter says that without faith (in God) it is impossible to please Him. The strength of our faith in God depends on our confidence in, and our obedience to the truth, which is His word. To doubt His word is to doubt the punishment that awaits those that disobey His will. To be pleasing to God, we must have faith in Him, and believe that the justice He delivers on Judgment Day is righteous. With full knowledge of God's will, our conscience will guide us in what is right, and condemn us when we are in error. Indeed, whatsoever is not of faith is sin!

However, the opposite of this is not true. It cannot be said that it is never sinful to do that which one thinks is right. Ignorance of God's will is not defensible. Misinterpreting the word of God, or accepting the false teaching of others, may bring a guilt-free conscience for our actions, however, if such actions are sinful and disobedience occurs, we will be held accountable to God for our error. Christian, beware!