Romans 14:13-14 – Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
As we come to this passage in Romans, we realize that, when trying to be a Christian living in a godless culture, there are three ways we can approach things – receive, redeem, or reject.
Let’s start with receiving. There are many parts of culture and our world that we just receive and are ok with.
I’ll give you an example – air conditioning.
I’ve read the whole Bible; I can’t find air conditioning and I don’t care. I’m still for it, and you should be too.
When we first bought The Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona where I have the honor of preaching almost every weekend, the air conditioners were original to the building – from 1966! Count that among Jesus’ miracles. But it didn’t work very well. I’d liken it to an elderly man breathing on you.
We’ve since upgraded them, and we love air conditioning. For those of you who are new to Arizona or watch sermons each week from somewhere else in the country or world, you may ask – do you need air conditioning?
Let me put it to you this way. Go outside, turn on your grill to full heat, and climb inside. That’s Arizona in the summer. I call June, July, and August the beast, the false prophet, and the Antichrist.
You may do some historical work and figure out that the guy who invented air conditioning was a godless pagan and I’d still say…I’m for air conditioning. This is one of those things that is ok to just receive, and people can still love Jesus while using air conditioners because it would truly be impossible to live without it.
What are some things that you think are ok to just “receive” in culture or in our world?
To find the free Romans 12-16 digital study guide for individuals and small groups, hear Pastor Mark’s entire sermon series on Romans, or find a free mountain of Bible teaching visit realfaith.com or download the Real Faith app.