Faith, Not Fanaticism

Romans 14:13-23
A brief but important phrase comes at the end of the Romans passage for this morning. There Paul writes, “…for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23b). I find the implications of these words to be far reaching and not entirely clear cut. Throughout the Letter to the Romans Paul has been building a case for faith and how it should guide the life of the believer. In the immediate context he calls on Christians to make decisions based on how they will affect others, not simply on what the believer holds to be true. So faith is not a blind acceptance of a set of principles. It involves consideration and thought, looking beyond our own circumstances to the needs of others. This would seem to make faith adaptable, almost fluid, which makes it more difficult to define.

But faith must be focused on the proper object – Jesus Christ – because the alternative is sinfulness. But what does it mean to be faithful to Jesus? How does one live in faith within a community? Paul has been giving us a great deal of information, insight, encouragement, exhortation to do what is just and righteous, to live in proper relationship with God and others. There is a right way and a wrong way to live and a reason to strive toward God’s will lest we fall short.

What then shall we say about these things? Faith is essential to the life of the Christian. But it demands more than blind loyalty which is not faith but fanaticism. It requires us to use our heart, soul, mind, and strength in a constant effort to serve God by serving one another. Who can do such a thing? Paul would say that we can, as long as we pay attention, as long as we struggle, as long as we look beyond ourselves.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we allow faith to become something we define, ignoring what you would have us believe and do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.