Rev. Don Campbell
Keep Your Faith to Yourself
Paul wrote, “The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God” (Romans 14:22, ESV). Paul is not urging us to be closet Christians, practicing our faith in secret. When the Jewish authorities demanded that the apostles keep quiet about the gospel of Christ, Peter replied, “We must obey God rather than me” (Acts 5:29).
The context of Paul’s exhortation is disputable things—things about which one can be wrong but still be right with God and things about which one can be right but still be wrong with God. There was a correct position regarding eating meat, drinking wine, and observing “holy” days. Paul did not lay down the law, enforcing the right position, but said, “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions” (Romans 14:1, ESV).
Paul declared that since we did not die for one another, we have no right to judge one another in doubtful matters, but “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Romans 14:10).
