Principles of Conscience

 By Pastor Dewey Roberts - Posted at Vanguard Presbyterian Church:

In Romans 14:1 to 15:13, the Apostle Paul has an extended section in which he deals with the principles of conscience. I consider it one of the most important sections in the Scripture concerning the matter of Christian conduct. It is also one of the most ignored sections of the Scripture. The principles Paul lays down in those verses are continually disobeyed in numerous ways. The basic principle is the responsibility of mutual forbearance among Christians. In other words, in matters where the Scripture has not spoken definitively, we are to bear with one another when we hold to different views or opinions. There are many such areas where forbearance is needed.

Paul gives to us all these admonitions:

“Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions” (Romans 14:1);

“The one who eats is not to regard with contempt, the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him” (Romans 14:3);

“One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5);

“But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God” (Romans 14:10);

“Therefore, let us not judge one another anymore” (Romans 14:13);

“The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God” (Romans 14:22);

“Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those who are without strength and not just please ourselves” Romans 15:1; and,

“Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).

Every Christian should read this whole extended section and make a detailed study of Paul’s words there as well as studying a similar passage in 1 Corinthians 8: to 9:27. What Paul says in those passages apply to how Christians treat one another in every matter, but especially in those matters of conscience where the Scripture does not speak clearly. The Scripture was not written to be a handbook on the minute details of the Christian life. Rather, the Bible was written to present the gospel of God to a world of sinners. As a result, there are many things that are dealt with only in passing, but not exhaustively. The things that concern the doctrine of salvation are very clear. Many other things are left to the Christian conscience. It is an all those areas of Christian freedom or the freedom of conscience that the above principles of Paul are necessary. ...

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