Receiving One Another in Christ

When Christ departed from earth, He left His disciples and those who would believe through them three essential things: Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the Church. Of these three, the Church is most prone to discord, error, and division, because it is a gathering place where sinful people assemble, worship, and serve together. Apostle Paul devotes extensive and detailed teaching in his letter to Rome (particularly from Romans 14:1 to 15:13, comprising 36 verses total) to address this issue, demonstrating his deep concern for how believers conduct themselves toward one another. This lengthy treatment reveals Paul's conviction that proper conduct among believers is of utmost importance to the health and witness of the Church.

At the Church in Rome, discord arose from two primary issues: food (some believers ate only vegetables according to Mosaic law, while others ate all things) and holy days (some believers regarded certain days as more important than others). Jewish believers insisted that all must follow the old laws, while Gentile believers held that these laws were no longer binding. The problem lay not in differing viewpoints themselves, but in attitude and behavior: the strong displayed contempt and disdain, while the weak condemned, blamed, and judged in place of Christ. Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 identifies the root error clearly: "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up," thereby diagnosing the pride of both sides. The issue extended to other churches as well—Corinth, Galatia, and Colossae faced similar conflicts, demonstrating that such relational challenges are not unique to one congregation but endemic to human nature when unified only by doctrinal agreement and not by love.

The correct solution begins with a foundational command: "Accept the one whose faith is weak" (Romans 14:1). The Greek word "proslambano" means to draw near, to open one's arms in welcome, even to invite into one's home with kindness. This is not merely accepting wrong ideas, but embracing the person themselves, with the purpose of strengthening and helping them grow to maturity. Paul uses Christ as the model: "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God" (Romans 15:7). Christ accepts us while we are yet sinners, still enemies of God; He grants us the Holy Spirit, grace, spiritual gifts, and continuous assurance of salvation. This acceptance is unconditional yet purposeful—always aiming at the spiritual growth and development of the recipient.

Believers who are strong must bear the failings of the weak, rather than merely pleasing themselves (Romans 15:1). This is love in action: surrendering personal freedom for the spiritual development of others. Paul himself exemplifies this: although he had the right to eat, drink, and be supported, he did not exercise these rights so as not to hinder the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:1-15). This principle demands submission to a higher law: obedience not from conscience or fear, but from love of God, love of fellow believers, and love of God's glory. The sermon identifies the ultimate principle: "Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food" (Romans 14:20). Believers must continually ask themselves whether their exercise of freedom serves the kingdom of God or whether it becomes a stumbling block to the weak and a distraction from the Church's mission.

The sermon emphasizes three essential principles for resolving disagreements in the Church today. First, focus on essentials: the Church's purpose is not to change one another's lives, but to proclaim the gospel and make disciples. Life change is the work of the Holy Spirit, not human effort. As French author Saint Exupery wrote: "Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction." Second, sacrifice freedom for the sake of the weak: although one has the right to do non-essential things, if doing so causes the weak to stumble, the strong should willingly forgo that right. This reflects the principle that Christian liberty is never meant to be selfish indulgence, but rather an opportunity to serve others. Third, receive and support one another rather than condemn and blame: believers should focus on unity, building up, and righteousness in the Church, because "the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). The sermon concludes by applying these ancient principles to modern conflicts within churches—whether over worship styles, dress codes, Bible translations, or dietary and lifestyle practices—showing that Paul's teaching addresses not merely first-century issues, but the timeless challenge of how believers with differing convictions can live in harmony, mutual respect, and genuine love.