Romans 14:23
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
There is a lesson here in this verse that some people would easily overlook; either being too busy studying out the doctrinal issues of God’s laws of eating, or being too easily tempted to only quote the second half of the verse for ‘faith lessons’. Christians easily miss the relationship struck by the joining of a specific example with an overriding principle. Its okay, I missed it too at first.
The principle is easy: “whatsoever”! Name your action. Whatever you do that is not of faith is sin; not the sin of ‘doing’ or ‘not doing’, but of ‘faithing’ or ‘not faithing’.
The example is specific: eating flesh and not just being vegetarian, and tempting your brother to fall just because you have ‘liberty’. His sin is actually tied to yielding to your action which God has restrained him from doing.
The truth / comparative is this: PHYSICAL ACTION is judged by God based on the HEART of the doer. A man who DOUBTS and is NOT OF FAITH will get himself into trouble with the Lord — now matter what the earthly reason is. That is the REAL point at stake. Actions of a FULLY PERSUADED heart are blessed of the Lord.
If you do an action ‘while your heart condemns you’, then you have sinned. It doesn’t really matter whether it is over natural issues or spiritual issues. If you DO NOT BELIEVE then you cannot receive the blessing of faith. God works to convince the HEART to obey his laws; whether on food, or giving or unfeigned love of the brethren. However, even good obedience, WITHOUT FAITH, will still leave you with a stain of sin on your spiritual wedding garment. Suggestion: BEFORE YOU ACT, TEST YOUR FAITH. Then, move out boldly!
Original Copyright: © Anthony J. Massotti Th.M., Th.M. 3/14/2004