Where Is the Chasm?
Romans 14:1–4
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. Romans 14:1 (NIV throughout)

Let’s allow God to deal with each of his servants how, when, and as kindly as he will. And while we are at it, let’s be thankful that he has dealt as kindly as he has with us. If he had not, we would all be in deep trouble.

Take notice here that Paul has two initial points of advice. In fact, what he says is stronger than advice—these are commands, and the whole sentence is made up of them: Accept him whose faith is weak and Do not pass judgment in disputable matters.

1. Accept him whose faith is weak. This means that we are to accept other Christians as Christians and that, as John Murray says, “There is to be no discrimination in respect of confidence, esteem, and affection.”

Accept is a strong term, because it is used of God’s acceptance of us in verse 3 and of Christ’s acceptance of us in 15:7. Verse 3 says, “The man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.” The other verse says, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you.” If God has accepted the other person, who are you not to accept him?

2. Do not pass judgment in disputable matters. Recognize that some standards of right conduct are unclear and that other matters really do not matter. In those areas, let the matter drop and get on with things that do matter. Above all, accept the other believer for what he or she has to offer to the whole body of Christ. And do your own part too! Tell someone about Jesus. Certainly you have better things to do than to hunt out the speck in the eye of your fellow Christian while overlooking the plank in your own.

Francis Schaeffer used to talk about “the chasm.” He said that we put it in the wrong place, dividing ourselves from other Christians. It shouldn’t be there. True, there is a chasm between those who know Jesus Christ and those who do not, between Christians and the world, and it is a deep one. But that is where it lies, between Christians and the world, not between Christians and Christians. All who know Jesus Christ are on this side of the chasm, and we must stand with them for Christ’s kingdom.

Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.