Matters of Opinion Are Not "Salvation Issues"

Thinking about Romans 14:7-8.

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For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. (Romans 14:7-8)

After addressing the opinions or “scruples” some had over eating meat or observing special days, Paul makes a powerful point meant to remind the various groups not to think more of themselves or less of their brethren based on these matters of opinion.

No Christian is “more saved” or “less saved” because of their views on matters of opinion or conscience.

Christians Live and Die to the Lord.

One’s decision to eat or not eat, as well as the choice to hold certain days above others or not to do so, is not just an individual determination, as it might seem. However, it is not the concern of any other person; rather, it is between the individual and God…Paul’s basic premise was that everything is done to God and for God – not for the approval of anyone else! – Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 502

Regardless of the Christians in Rome’s opinion on eating meat and observing special days, both sides did not live and die to themselves. They lived and died to the Lord – their lives were lived for Him and His approval of their lives was all that mattered.

No matter which side of this issue a Christian in Rome fell on based on their opinion of eating meat or not eating meat, or observing special days or not observing special days – they were all approved by the Lord and saved in Him!

Belonging to the Lord is not the prerogative only of the weak or of the strong [Romans 14:1-4]. Both belong to the Lord, and both are approved by the Lord, regardless of how one’s conscience dictates in the matters of food and special days. Paul’s principle as that no one was inconsequential in the church there, regardless of the group to which he belonged. – Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 502

Treating Brethren as Inferior.

Paul knew it was a very real danger that the groups, based on their different opinions, would start treating each other as inferior. Based on how he began Romans 14, it seems the beginning stages of this problem were already happening.

What he writes is a warning to the church: “Don’t treat your brethren as inferior because they view a matter of opinion differently than you.” How many countless problems could have been avoided in the Lord’s church if we followed the wisdom and command of God in matters of opinion?

• Sometimes brethren are mocked for their differing views in matters of opinion.

• Sometimes other brethren doubt how seriously they study God’s word: “Well if they were a serious student of the Scriptures, they wouldn’t reach that conclusion.”

• Sometimes the motives of brethren are even judged for holding to a different view on a matter of opinion.

What Paul writes by inspiration of the Holy Spirit says: “Don’t do that!”

In another passage, Paul reminded the church in Ephesus of the importance of unity.

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Paul is urging the Christians in Rome not to sacrifice “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” upon the altar of opinions and scruples.

May we never sacrifice the unity of God’s people for the sake of our own opinions and scruples.