God Has Received Him
A Sermon on Romans 14:1-4
Originally preached Oct. 27, 1967
Scripture
1Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge …
Sermon Description
What really is legalism? In this sermon on Romans 14:1–4 titled “God Has Received Him,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tackles this important subject by asking what it is, how it can be fought, and the consequences that it carries within the church. Legalism is what happens when people take principles in Scripture, interpret them wrongly, and make them absolute rules that everyone is required to follow. Legalists tend to make indifferent things central. Mainly it means that issues not core to Christianity are elevated to make-or-break issues that are used as standards for measuring the depth of someone’s relationship with Christ. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds, what matters is that people have been received by God— it is not up to others to determine this. People frequently set up their own standards for determining if people are Christians, but from where do they derive their authority? Dr. Lloyd-Jones also addresses if Paul was contradicting his stance against legalism when he said that he acts certain ways around certain people. Ultimately, this was to keep them from stumbling and as Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds, Paul did not see these issues as central doctrines of Christianity. He closes with a charge— Christians are not to reject someone whom God has received, and ultimately, only God can make the call on whether or not this is the case. They are to trust Him with this and simply be obedient.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is dealing with the question of how Christians with different views on indifferent matters should get along.
- Paul uses the example of eating meat vs only eating herbs. Some Christians believe they can eat anything while others only eat herbs due to a weak conscience.
- There is a danger of the stronger Christian despising the weaker Christian and the weaker Christian judging the stronger Christian.
- Paul says "God hath received him" - meaning God has accepted both the stronger and weaker Christian. Who are we to judge another man's servant?
- This issue of indifferent matters causing division is not just a first century problem but continues today. Examples include temperance movements and rules imposed on new converts.
- We must be careful not to go beyond scripture and make up our own rules and regulations. An example is given of a godly man who used to tie his shoes on Saturday night to avoid doing any work on Sunday. He later realized this was legalism.
- We must examine ourselves in light of scripture. While discipline is important, the emphasis should be on inviting people in and rejoicing in their coming. Things should be done in love and charity.
- Paul seems to contradict himself, condemning certain practices in some letters but not in others. However, he is operating on the same principle: accommodate the weak but don't let them become dictators. Avoid offense but don't forsake principles.
- An example is given of a Norwegian chaplain who was allowed to take communion with Anglicans by accident, showing the ridiculousness of man-made regulations.
- How do we know God has received someone? By their profession of faith in Christ, desire to join a church, and general conduct. We can be misled but should not exclude someone without cause.
- Other signs are the Holy Spirit falling upon them and the fruits of the Spirit being evident in their lives.
- We must be careful not to refuse those God has received due to our own traditions and regulations. This is urgently important for evangelical unity.
- There are absolutes we must stand on but indifferent matters should not be central. We should not divide over man-made regulations, especially in declaring Christ's death.
- We should examine ourselves and pray for grace, understanding, love, compassion and concern for one another.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Divisions in the Church: Questions & Answers
What is the main passage Dr. Lloyd-Jones is expounding in this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones is expounding Romans 14:1-4, which addresses how Christians should deal with differences of opinion on matters that are not central to the faith. The passage specifically mentions those who are "weak in the faith" regarding dietary restrictions, with some believing they can eat anything while others eat only vegetables.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by "things that are indifferent"?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "things that are indifferent" refers to matters about which we don't have clear and specific commandments in Scripture. These are secondary issues that are not essential to salvation or fundamental Christian doctrine. In the context of Romans 14, this included dietary preferences like eating meat versus eating only herbs (vegetables).
What danger does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify in the weaker brother's attitude?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies that the weaker brother tends to judge the stronger brother, sometimes even questioning whether they are truly Christian because they engage in practices the weaker brother believes should be avoided. The danger is that the weaker brother makes non-essential matters central and all-important, using these details of conduct to determine whether someone is a genuine Christian.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe legalism in the context of this passage?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes legalism as making non-essential matters central to Christian identity and thereby implying that a person is justified by works rather than faith. He states that this "becomes guilty of denying the great doctrine of justification by faith only because if you say that what makes a man a Christian is that he doesn't drink or he doesn't smoke, or he doesn't eat meats and so on, well, then you are saying that a man is justified by works and not by faith."
What is Paul's first argument against judging others on non-essential matters?
Paul's first argument, highlighted by Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is found at the end of Romans 14:3: "For God has received him." The apostle's point is that if God has accepted someone as His child through faith in Christ, other Christians have no right to reject that person based on secondary matters of conduct or practice.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain Paul's seemingly contradictory approaches in different epistles?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that there is no contradiction in Paul's teaching. In Romans 14, Paul is lenient toward those with weak consciences and scruples. However, in Galatians and Colossians, he strongly condemns those who try to make these secondary matters essential to salvation. The difference is between accommodating weakness versus confronting those who make these matters conditions for salvation.
What principle guided Paul's actions regarding Jewish customs?
The principle guiding Paul was "that the Christian must do everything he can to avoid giving offense." Paul was willing to observe Jewish customs (as in Acts 21 when he participated in purification rituals) to avoid offending Jewish believers, but he would never allow these practices to be forced on Gentiles or made essential to salvation.
How can we know if "God has received" someone according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides several biblical indicators that God has received someone: 1. Their profession of faith in Christ alone for salvation 2. Their desire to join the Christian church and leave worldly company 3. Their general conduct and behavior consistent with Christian teaching 4. Evidence of the Holy Spirit working in their lives 5. Love for other believers (referencing 1 John)
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones consider this teaching especially relevant for his time?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones considers this teaching particularly relevant because evangelical Christians were divided over secondary matters, even refusing to come together at the Lord's Table despite knowing they were equally children of God. He warns that if evangelicals continue to separate over traditions they've inherited but "never thought through at all," they "deserve richly to go down in utter defeat and into utter forgetfulness."
What specific example does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give about legalism from his own acquaintance?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares the story of a brilliant theological college principal who, in his younger days, went through a phase of legalism regarding Sabbath observance. The man was so concerned about not working on Sunday that he would put on and tie his boots on Saturday night to avoid doing so on Sunday morning. He eventually realized this was "sheer legalism" that made Scripture's teaching "ridiculous."
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.