In Romans 14:14, 20, 22 Paul wrote, I know and am convinced in the Lord that nothing is unclean of itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean... All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense Happy is he who condemns not himself in what he approves.

These verses contain the most radical revelation we can get in our day. To think that there is nothing inherently unclean, that all things are clean, that one can be "happy" doing what he does not "condemn himself" for doing! This is radical theology!

The first crucial thing to note is that Paul is not giving us his personal opinion about moral purity. He says I am convinced in the Lord about this fact. This is God-breathed revelation from the man who understood Christianity better than any human who ever lived. What we read here is God's own Holy Spirit inspired statement about the inherent purity of everything in creation. This is Christ's own word that nothing is unclean of itself. This single revelation tears the foundation completely out from under most of the things we have built into our framework of holiness We attribute inherent defilement to any number of things and condemn the doing of those things, under any circumstances, because we say they are unholy Things like smoking, drinking wine, dancing, gambling, various sexual practices, and so forth. However, nothing is unclean in itself And those who believe and know the truth can enjoy everything God created. It is because we do not know the truth that we declare things to be unholy that God says are not unholy. Everything in creation is sanctified for our enjoyment by the word that declares it good and by the thankfulness of those who enjoy it.

The second crucial thing to note is that Paul emphatically says all things and nothing These words are totally inclusive. Nothing is left out. The Holy Spirit did not make a mistake here. Yet our minds have real trouble accepting these plain statements. We have heard attempts to explain away the direct force of "all things are clean" and "nothing is unclean."

Some have said, "Paul means 'nothing in this category' (i.e. eating meats and observing holidays). And 'all things' refers only to the specific things he is talking about. The problem is that Paul does not say, "nothing in this category is unclean. His word is very clear. "Nothing is unclean of itself. Paul did not say, "All things in this category are clean. He said, "All things are clean. Paul intended to make an uncompromising statement to the effect that actions in themselves are not "sinful" or "unholy". Something must be added to mere action, to make it "unclean. Interestingly, the legalist prides himself in "taking the Bible literally. Yet on verses like these, he is forced to twist and turn, and to deny what the Bible literally says! Both in English and in the original Greek, Paul leaves nothing out.

 

"Nothing is unclean of itself."

"All things are clean."

Some say, "But Paul can't possibly mean that 'nothing' is unclean. And surely we know that 'all things' are not clean. Then follows a list of some things that we just "know" to be inherently "unclean. Things like:

• Fornication - But "fornication" is not a specific kind of "act. It is mistreatment of others via some act. It is not the act itself that is unclean, but the "unfaithfulness" involved in the act, that makes it "unclean. For example, the sex act is inherently holy. Sex becomes "fornication" only when it involves unfaithfulness to another person.
• Adultery - But the nature of adultery is not a specific sex act. Adultery the breaking of a marriage bond. The "uncleanness" or "sin" of adultery has nothing to do with the inherent "uncleanness" of any act. It has solely to do with unrighteous treatment of one's mate.
• Homosexual Acts - Again, it is not what homosexuals do, which may be wrong. They do the same things heterosexuals do. No sex act is inherently "unclean". What makes an act "homosexual" is that two people of the same sex commit the act together. Specifically, oral sex and anal sex are neither inherently homosexual acts, nor unclean acts. Heterosexuals do these same things. Homosexuals kiss. Does that mean kissing is a homosexual act? It is not the act itself, but rather who does the act that makes it homosexual.

We could give many other examples, but these are the ones usually thrown out there to disprove Paul's bold statement. The same thing is true of all examples that can be given. No act is inherently unclean. Uncleanness results not from the act itself, but from wrong motives, and from evil effects of that act on others.

If we can really "get hold of" this truth, our whole concept of morality and holiness will be revolutionized. Morality is not inherent in the nature of activity. All acts are inherently without moral content. The morality of any act is secondary to the act itself. Two people may do exactly the same thing, and one will commit sin while the other is innocent.

We are not defiled by physical acts but by spiritual attitudes. Physical acts are not inherently defiling Defilement requires involvement of the heart. Physical acts are neither inherently sinful nor inherently good. They are inherently innocent. Any physical act that hurts another person is always wrong because of its hurtful effect. Nevertheless, such an act is "sinful" i.e. morally defiling only if done intentionally or rebelliously. Our own civil laws define a difference between negligent homicides versus murder or a traffic violation that brings a warning rather than a citation/fine. Actions that civil law defines as illegal and criminal may be mitigated as determined by motive. Thus, a technically criminal act may be effectively regarded as non-criminal. Conversely, an inherently innocent act may become sinful because of an attitude of spite, rebellion, disregard of others welfare, etc. In the civil realm, building a fence has no inherent legal implications. However, if one builds a spite fence civil law may require its destruction.

If there are things we choose not to indulge in, we are free to reject them personally. However, we must allow others to draw personal conclusions from Scripture and follow their own conscience with thanksgiving, (Romans 14:5-6, 22). No one should allow their conscience to be ruled by people. God gives every individual the right, responsibility to learn what His word teaches about all things spiritual and make up their own minds about what is allowed, and what is not. Those who diligently try to understand God's word on any subject and then approve certain activities for themselves are happy (vs. 22) and may enjoy what they approve with a clear conscience. If we reach different conclusions about the same activity, we are commanded not to judge those who exercise their liberty in ways different from us, (Romans 14:3-4, 10, 12-13).

A good example of this principle may be seen if we apply it to the use of tobacco. Who really knows why God created tobacco? Tobacco itself is not evil. In addition, those who choose to smoke, dip or chew it find real pleasure in doing so. God has nowhere shown use of tobacco to be sinful. Each person is allowed to make individual choice in the matter. Those who choose to use tobacco may do so with a clear conscience. Those who choose to reject such use have the right to do so, but have no right to judge the spirituality or morality of those who choose otherwise. The reason for this is very simple: God alone is judge of any person. He gives right of moral judgment of others to no human. Regardless of what we think about anything, God alone will decide the issue of any person's activities. We have enough to worry about just trying to see that our own actions are motivated by love and trust in God. We have no time or energy to spare for deciding such issues for anyone else.

Let us note that Paul says each one will give account of himself to God (Romans 14:12). We must therefore look carefully at God's word and learn the principles that govern correct behavior. We must learn what it means to honor God and to love one another. We must be fully convinced in our own mind (Romans 14:5) that what we desire to do is not an offense against love. Then we are free to do that thing without condemnation, (Romans 14:22). But be assured that we will stand before the judgment seat of God and give account for how we act in this whole area, (Romans 14:10). Thus, we cannot simply throw caution to the wind and just do whatever comes naturally regardless of how it affects other people. We will be examined concerning how we use, or misuse, our liberty. In addition, we will be judged for our attitude toward those who use their liberty in ways that differ from us. Nevertheless, living conscientiously within the context of our ultimate accountability to God, opens the door of liberty in Christ to enjoy God's creation without guilt or shame, and without bondage from other's condemnation.

Each one of us is responsible before God to learn His will the best we can, then make our own informed, conscientious decisions about what we do, (Romans 14:5, 12, 22). Everyone who sincerely desires God's approval of their actions will ask at least these crucial questions:

Have I honestly examined all the available evidence?

It is incredibly difficult to examine with honesty both sides of an issue. Our human tendency is to seek ways to justify whatever we already think. Unless we lay aside preferences and honestly consider alternative ideas, we cannot arrive at defensible conclusions. It is just as difficult to examine all the available evidence. Generally, people are willing to study hard for only a short period of time. Research grows tiresome. Moreover, because we desire to justify existing ideas, we easily default to searching out only those resources that we think will establish our viewpoint. Carefully examining opposing viewpoints is crucial to developing any objective conviction on any issue.

Is my conclusion consistent with the meaning of God's Words?

Will the actual words of Scripture allow the conclusion you draw? On the other hand, must Scripture be twisted, or word meanings ignored? To form true opinions about anything spiritual one must look at the actual words of Scripture, and find their true meaning. It is not enough to go based on what your pastor says. Most of the bondage we live under is the fault of pastors laying untrue teaching upon us, and, sadly, very few of them are diligent students of Scripture. We cannot escape the bondage of false teaching unless we are willing to do our own homework. If our conclusion cannot be maintained without giving Biblical words some specialized, unique meaning that cannot be verified by dependable, reputable scholarship, then we need to give up that conclusion.

Is my conclusion consistent with love for God? Will this action offend Him?

Any action that offends God is unacceptable for our participation.

Is my conclusion consistent with love for man? Will this action hurt another person?

Anything that harms another person is off limits. This guideline, together with the previous one, enables us to decide dependably what we may or may not do in those activities of which the Bible says nothing. When we honestly examine an activity, and we cannot see how it either offends God or harms man, then that thing is probably in the realm of choice. One is free to do that thing, or to reject that thing according to personal preference. Judging all things by the law of love gives us a new and reliable touchstone for deciding what things are holy or unholy. According to Jesus and Paul, it is not the act itself that is either holy or unholy. It is how that act affects God and others that determines its holiness.

The Holy Spirit did not err in these statements. He wants us to get a clear picture of what constitutes sin. God made all things inherently good to enjoy. He wants us to understand that we are not free to use His good creation in ways that harm others.

Observing the Royal Law of Love will set the stage for us to enjoy fully all good things. Pleasure is not bad. Pleasure is good. God made it that way. We are free in Christ to decide for ourselves what we choose to do or not do. As long as we are "fully convinced in our own mind, and are careful that we do not harm others by our practice, we may enjoy what we will with clear conscience, giving God thanks for His good creation.