Faith and The Romans 14:23 Rule

Isaac getting on the AltarSo the Romans 14:23 Rule states, "You must be absolutely sure that what you are doing is what God told you to do because if not then you are using his name in vain and you are sinning in what you do."  The positive application of the rule is, "When in doubt - don't."

The Church, those who follow, deserve leaders that are sure.  They should be provided with no less a standard than that of Our Lord Jesus Christ who said, "I do only what my Father tells me."  Romans 14:23 teaches that if we can't do it in "faith" - then we are wrong.

What does that kind of faith mean?  It means being absolutely sure that God has told you to do whatever you are getting ready to do.  There is indeed a big difference between saying you are sure and being sure.  Paul is teaching that every action ought be done "in faith."  That is, we should be certain (have faith in God) that everything we do is at the direct call of God.  Isn't that faith afterall?  Faith points itself only to God.  Faith comes only to God.  Faith says, "You are the Way, the Truth and the Life!"  Faith in God is wholly seen in action.  The summary action of faith in God is only doing what you see Him do or what He tells you to do.

It must have been even harder for the young Isaac to climb on the altar.  Faith - led him to do it.  Abraham counted nothing more important than following God - and he was sure that God said, "Take Isaac to the mountain."  He did not take a vote.  There is no record of a consensus of other leaders.  His actions were the very definition of his faith and yet his faith in God was the very cause of his actions.

Wow!  What a standard!  However, Christian leaders need to accept that they have put on Christ and claim to have His Spirit living in them - therefore, there is no other standard but faith.  What would the church be like if every leader said what he was sure of and never waivered regardless because in the same way they would never deny Christ - they would never deny what they were certain He told them to do.

People say, "Well look at what is happening - surely you can't still think you are following God!"  I wonder what it was like for Jesus as the people second guessed God's Plan for Him.  "Hey Jesus!  They are getting ready to crucify you! It doesn't look good for you!  You sure you don't want to rethink this plan?"  This is what the leaders and the professionals said to Christ.  But Christ was certain, God knew the plan, God had shared the plan.  No matter the pain, no matter the consternation, Jesus knew the end of the plan and knew the next step.

The Church today needs to have leaders with this type of tested, perservering, tried and true faith in the actions that they lead and the truths that they teach.  The Church needs Jesus.  The Church needs His certainty.  He left us His Spirit and His Job to show the way.

When in doubt - don't!  You will save your followers a world of chaos for there is nothing worse than a flaky parent.  However, once you are in faith - do it for the One.  Do it for the Name.