Accept One Another – Pastor David Jang
1. Diverse Perspectives within the Church and the Apostle’s Exhortation to “Not Judge One Another”
Romans 14 is a crucial passage that practically demonstrates how believers with differing viewpoints and perspectives should live together in the Christian community. In this chapter, Paul delivers a guiding principle to the church in Rome: “Do not judge one another, but accept one another in the Lord.” In particular, the passage (14:1–12) includes the exhortation, “Do not judge those who are weak in faith,” reflecting the apostle’s wise and loving approach to overcoming conflicts that existed in the early church. This teaching has been reiterated throughout church history and remains equally applicable to modern congregations. Pastor David Jang has likewise emphasized that various conflicts that arise within and outside the church must be resolved through the spirit of the gospel. Despite the church’s profession of “unity and harmony,” we still witness frequent divisions, large and small. Thus, the posture of “not criticizing but accepting one another” remains a central task.
Paul identifies two groups within the Roman church: the “weak” and the “strong.” Rather than labeling them as “Jewish-background believers” and “Gentile-background believers,” he describes them based on their level of faith. The so-called “weak” in faith were those who strictly adhered to the law or food regulations. On the other hand, those deemed “strong” exercised broader freedoms within the gospel and were not bound by specific rules about food or observance of days. The conflict between these two groups revolved around issues of food and observing certain days. Jewish-background believers refrained from meat they considered unclean based on purity laws, and Paul referred to them as the “weak.” In contrast, Gentile-background believers felt free to eat various foods, including those that might have been sacrificed to idols or considered unclean such as pork. Paul termed these believers the “strong.”
Yet, Paul’s classification carries deep theological meaning. He repeatedly stresses that if one enjoys freedom without considering another person’s conscience or faith, that freedom can become sinful. Pastor David Jang also connects this idea to the core message of the gospel. The gospel bestows the wondrous gift of “freedom,” but that freedom should be tempered by love. At times, we must limit our freedom for the sake of another’s benefit. Ultimately, Paul instructs both the “strong” and the “weak” not to insist on being right but to build up the body of Christ by respecting and understanding their differences. This, he says, is the true picture of the gospel unity that all believers should pursue.
In Romans 14:1, Paul begins, “Accept the one who is weak in faith, without quarreling over disputable matters.” In effect, he is giving direct guidance on how the “strong” should respond when conflict arises within the church. Paul then states, “One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables” (v. 2), acknowledging the coexistence of these two perspectives. What is crucial here is that Paul clarifies both sides do so “to the Lord” (v. 6). In other words, whether a believer observes certain food laws or special days, such practices do not determine the essence of faith. Conservative traditions often assume, “We are the only ones preserving the true faith,” while more liberal traditions may assume, “We alone are exercising our gospel freedom correctly.” However, Paul insists that if both sides claim they are acting for God, they must refrain from hastily judging each other. Only the Lord truly discerns the measure of faith. The rhetorical question, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?” (v. 4), starkly illustrates this point. We are all servants of the Lord, and one servant cannot pass judgment on another.
Pastor David Jang has frequently underscored this principle in various sermons and lectures, stressing that “Only God can judge.” Whenever the church begins labeling who is right or who has greater faith from a worldly standpoint, it risks straying far from the heart of the gospel. Instead, when believers relate to each other with acceptance rather than criticism, and love rather than suspicion, the church is filled with “peace and joy and righteousness.” Jesus’ admonition—“Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1–2)—is naturally foundational for resolving internal church conflicts. Within this guideline, Paul encourages believers to live “in the Lord” in all things but to ensure that their choices do not tear down a fellow believer. This theme emerges again in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10 when discussing food sacrificed to idols. Paul consistently places a higher priority on a brother’s vulnerable faith than on his own freedom. Instead of stirring contention and strife in the Christian community, believers must choose to promote reconciliation and practice love.
Applying this principle to today’s church, we see that differences over worship styles, approaches to baptism and communion, or the observance of specific holidays often belong to the category of “adiaphora”—matters not absolutely defined as right or wrong. Paul directs the church to measure these issues against one question: “Is this a core matter in God’s sight?” If it is not a central doctrine directly linked to salvation or forgiveness of sins, believers should acknowledge each other’s perspectives and embrace them in love. And if any practice might cause another to “doubt” or “stumble,” then one should willingly forgo that freedom. Ultimately, producing “peace and edification” begins with refraining from judging one another. Distrust or contempt towards a fellow believer undermines the unity of the church community. Paul’s proclamation that “whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (v. 8) underscores that all are in God’s hands; therefore, no one can presume to judge or despise another.
Hence, Romans 14:1–12, as well as Jesus’ stern warning in the Sermon on the Mount—“Anyone who says to a brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court…” (Matthew 5:22) and “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1–2)—forms the essential foundation for harmony within the church. In numerous messages, Pastor David Jang has pointed out that any form of “condemnation and critical culture” in the church will block genuine renewal and revival. He teaches that remembering Christ’s acceptance of us demands that we fulfill our calling to unity. He frequently highlights that love and harmony are broken precisely where the core of faith has been blurred. Indeed, the church crumbles more easily under internal criticism and division than it does under external persecution or oppression. This shared insight from both Paul and Pastor David Jang stresses how crucial it is that we do not judge but instead accept one another in the church.
Paradoxically, Romans 14 underscores the extent to which the church should embrace a variety of traditions and cultures. Jews may observe their special days, while Gentiles may attach importance to different festivals and customs. But Paul refuses to take sides, offering a viewpoint that includes both. He notes, “Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord; whoever does not regard one day as special does so to the Lord” (cf. Romans 14:6), indicating that what truly matters is, “Who is it for?” The church must learn how to receive this diversity with a generous heart, clinging to the one gospel and uniting in love. Instead of criticizing or despising one another, we ought to recognize and support each other’s limitations, modeling the kingdom of God.
2. Faith-Based Practice and Loving Restraint to Avoid Causing a Brother to Stumble
In Romans 14:13–23, Paul highlights a second major point: “Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” Verses 1–12 urge believers not to judge but to accept one another; now he goes further, calling for practical steps to ensure that one’s own exercise of freedom does not cause another’s faith to falter. Paul says in verse 13, “Stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” Regarding diet, days, and similar matters, Paul asserts that “even if you have the freedom to do so, if it harms another, it’s better to abstain.” For Paul, genuine love is about restricting one’s freedom for the sake of a brother or sister.
Here, one of Paul’s key concepts is “adiaphora,” which refers to actions that are morally neutral—neither inherently good nor evil. Throughout church history, believers have debated countless issues—worship styles, music preferences, clothing standards, cultural customs, and more. While some traditions emphasize strictness and others emphasize freedom, both camps pursue gospel values but differ in methodology. At this junction, Paul declares, “I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean” (v. 14). In other words, the act of eating itself is not inherently sinful, but if someone perceives it as sin and is forced or pressured into it, or if they are reproached over it, then it effectively becomes sin in their context.
When Pastor David Jang preaches on this passage, he often uses the theme “love constrains our freedom.” What some find harmless may greatly trouble others. Loving believers do not insist, “This is never a problem, so just join in!”; instead, they say, “If you feel uncomfortable with this, then I will gladly limit my freedom to respect you.” In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul makes the striking statement, “If what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again…” (v. 13). Though this may sound extreme, Paul’s understanding of gospel freedom is not merely about prioritizing one’s rights. Rather, “to save a brother or sister” is far more significant than personal privilege. If enjoying his rights could impair a fellow believer’s faith, Paul would willingly forgo them.
Romans 14:15 declares, “Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.” By clinging to personal preferences and causing a fellow believer pain or leading them astray, we risk harming one for whom Christ offered His life. Damaging a brother or sister’s faith is tantamount to making light of Christ’s sacrifice. Therefore, in the community, the “strong” should be even more attentive to those who are “weak.” Being “strong” does not merely imply a higher “level” of faith; it indicates that one has a wider range of freedom in the gospel. However, this freedom must not be misused. For instance, if someone believes they should not eat pork, forcing them to do so because “eating pork isn’t a sin” could, according to Paul’s reasoning, become a stumbling block. True love begins by considering “how does the other person feel?” and then seeking to build them up.
How does this apply to contemporary church life? Congregations encompass a variety of tastes, personalities, and faith backgrounds. Some freely embrace certain worship forms or cultural expressions, while others feel substantial discomfort about the same practices. Despite everyone claiming to do these “unto the Lord,” conflicts inevitably arise. When this happens, an essential question is, “Are we willing, for the sake of church order and harmony, to limit our freedom?” Romans 14:19 says, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Believers must focus on ways to build each other up and pursue peace, rather than engage in disputes and inflame divisions. The church’s true purpose is to unite in expanding God’s kingdom, not to become mired in “eating and drinking” debates.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (v. 17) captures the essence of this debate. We must not cause a brother or sister grief or temptation, nor break peace. In his sermons, Pastor David Jang often emphasizes that our ultimate goal is to restore true “shalom.” If our church is riddled with tension, conflict, grumbling, and criticism over matters like food, calendar dates, or church traditions, it no longer reflects the kingdom of God’s righteousness, peace, and joy. Romans 14 teaches that believers must carefully address even “small” issues if they could become stumbling blocks to others. Since the gospel’s love transcends all knowledge, and as Paul writes elsewhere, “I have the right to do anything,” but “not everything builds up” (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:23), we should keep these truths in mind.
Specifically, verses 20–21 say, “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.” Paul clearly indicates that while Christian freedom is good in itself, it must at times be restrained for the greater good—namely, “a brother or sister’s salvation and joy.” Finally, in verse 23, he concludes, “But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” Paul exhorts believers to act in faith without a guilty conscience. Yet that concern must extend to another’s conscience as well. Even if we can do something without any personal hesitation, if it wounds or tempts another believer, Paul insists we should stop. After all, Christ’s love is for building up the entire church community, not just benefiting oneself.
Such a perspective defines the distinctive ethical practice of the Christian community. The world may say, “Why should I bother to accommodate others? They can just look out for themselves.” But the church confesses, “Believers bear mutual responsibility for caring for one another.” Pastor David Jang calls this communal awareness rooted in the Cross. If the church truly remembers Jesus surrendering His own body on our behalf, then we must likewise serve and care for each other, even at personal cost. The sharp cultural differences between Gentiles and Jews in the early church closely mirror today’s pluralistic church context. While modern congregations blend a variety of faith histories, cultural backgrounds, and denominational traditions, we are called to seek the essence of the gospel together, accepting one another in ongoing growth. What we most need in this environment is the will to “limit our freedom out of love.”
3. Serving the Community and Having a Generous Heart to Accept the Gentiles—Paul’s Final Exhortation
Romans 15:1–13 continues this exhortation, amplifying the theme of chapter 14. In 15:1, Paul writes, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” This instruction encourages believers to “carry each other’s burdens,” showing how Christ’s love takes form in genuine service. If one side condemns believers who do not follow a certain culture or tradition, and the other side accuses them of being too legalistic, the vicious cycle only deepens. Paul breaks it by urging, “Help one another, build each other up.” Pastor David Jang has similarly taught that caring for the weak is one of the church’s most distinctive marks. If a church marginalizes or condemns the weak, it nullifies Christ’s own teachings. Since Jesus did not come to please Himself, but rather gave Himself up for sinners, we too must devote ourselves to uplifting others—this is the theological cornerstone behind Paul’s exhortation.
From verse 4 onward, Paul says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,” pointing out that we gain encouragement and hope from the Old Testament. Then in verses 5–6, he prays, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul’s wish is that even if the church faces various forms of conflict or division, it will ultimately glorify God with one unified voice. Both the early church and modern congregations confront different scales of conflict, but the longing to be “of one mind and one voice” remains unchanged. This prayer of Paul transcends time, capturing the collective vision of the church.
Ultimately, the passage starting at 15:7, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God,” serves as the climax of this entire teaching. The conflict between Jews and Gentiles was the central issue facing the New Testament church. Jews prided themselves on their history with the Law, claiming a status as God’s chosen people. Gentiles, by contrast, viewed those legal restrictions as unnecessary. This was a real and painful debate that Paul encountered across his missionary work, and yet he consistently proclaimed through Ephesians, Galatians, Philippians, and elsewhere: “There is no longer any division, for we are one new humanity in Christ.” The same logic holds true in Romans, where he insists that we neither exclude Gentiles nor reject Jews but develop a broader perspective that embraces both.
Paul undergirds this with his theology of Old Testament prophecy and its fulfillment. The message of the prophets was that God’s glory would be declared not only in Israel but to the ends of the earth, and Jesus Christ extended that promise. Thus, God’s plan was for Jews and Gentiles to share in salvation together; Paul emphasizes this by citing various Old Testament passages (Psalms, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, etc.) in Romans 15:9–12. The gospel is not restricted to a specific ethnicity or culture but is good news for the entire world. Therefore, no ethnic, cultural, or religious heritage can justify rejecting or marginalizing each other in the church. In Romans 15:13, Paul prays that “the God of hope [would] fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” His deepest desire is that this gospel would not only transform individuals but also renew the church as a whole and impact the broader world.
Pastor David Jang further elaborates that the church, in our era, should be a place where people of every race, language, and culture come together. If the church elevates one particular culture, ethnicity, or social class, it effectively limits the power of the gospel’s unifying and inclusive nature. Thus, the church must continually ask, “Even if it makes me or my community uncomfortable, can we choose what brings joy to others?” This reflects exactly what Paul says in Romans 15:2: “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” For example, when believers with foreign cultural backgrounds join a church, longtime members may find certain linguistic or cultural habits disconcerting. Conversely, believers from different cultural contexts may find a church’s old customs or traditions stifling. Even so, the church must find a way to bring those groups together into one body in Christ.
Romans 15 encapsulates themes running throughout Paul’s letters. From the perspective of “the gospel’s universal scope,” the good news is God’s invitation to all peoples. Under that invitation, the former divisions—Jew and Gentile, weak and strong, conservative and liberal—are reconciled. This is not just about outward appearance; it is about recognizing and accepting each other as brothers and sisters, truly forming one body. Paul realized that conflicts are practically inevitable, but he taught that when we shine the light of the gospel upon those conflicts, the church experiences genuine oneness.
In this context, Pastor David Jang often cites Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17, uttered on the night before His crucifixion: “Father, just as you are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us so that the world may believe…” If the church manifests “reconciliation” and “acceptance” instead of “strife” and “division,” the world will recognize God’s presence. But if the church becomes so internally fractured and critical that it fails to live by that essence, the world will say, “Why should we heed your gospel when you cannot even unite among yourselves?” Paul already warned in Romans 14:16, “Do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.” We must not give the world an excuse to slander the church. That warning was urgent 2,000 years ago and remains just as urgent today.
In summary, Romans 14–15 offers vital guidance for the church of our time. First, amid diverse faith backgrounds and cultures, believers must “not judge one another; the strong must not despise the weak, and the weak must not condemn the strong.” Second, Christians are indeed free, but they must be willing to offer the “sacrifice of love,” restraining that freedom if it might damage someone’s faith. Third, the church should model Christ’s sacrificial love by bearing each other’s weaknesses, accepting Gentiles (or outsiders) with generosity, so that God’s glory is revealed. Pastor David Jang regards these principles as foundational to the gospel across every generation, continually challenging the church to be renewed by them.
If we visualize Romans 14–15’s depiction of the church community, it is like a vast meadow where diverse animals live in harmony. Even a powerful lion will collapse if it is critically ill from within. The church likewise is not usually destroyed by external persecution but rather by internal disputes and criticism. Thus, we learn that the church thrives when we choose to guard and build up those who differ from us or whom we deem “weaker,” rather than condemning them. This allows “righteousness, peace, and joy” to dwell in the church, and God uses such a church to advance the gospel in the world.
One of Pastor David Jang’s frequent illustrations involves how parents intervene when their children quarrel. Parents do not side with just one child; they love both dearly and desire them to reconcile and understand each other. In the same way, God looks upon the church—composed of both the “weak” and the “strong”—and says, “You are all My children, so do not criticize or disregard one another; rather, honor one another.” Practicing this truth is the path of emulating Jesus Christ and giving glory to God. Although food regulations and feast days may no longer be a major concern for many churches today, we still face numerous contemporary issues—differences between denominations, cultures, generations, and worship expressions. The principle remains timeless: “Accept one another.” Paul’s command rings even more urgently now.
Finally, in Romans 15:13, Paul blesses believers: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The Christian life is not about avoiding all conflict or automatically compromising. Rather, it is about transforming every conflict through the power of the gospel, ultimately experiencing abundant joy and peace. If the church cannot experience this joy and peace, it could be because it harbors a culture of “criticism, suspicion, and scorn.” But by obeying Paul’s teaching and Pastor David Jang’s emphasis on “love and acceptance,” the church can embrace diverse backgrounds and traditions, achieving unity in diversity. Through such a church, the world will glorify God, and those who have fallen may arise once again to bow before the gospel. If the church decides not to chase selfish aspirations but instead willingly curbs its freedom to keep one another from stumbling, the world will discover reconciliation and healing in the light it reflects.
Though our present circumstances differ from Paul’s 2,000 years ago, the gospel demands the same foundational principle. Rather than condemning a brother or sister, we are called to accept them; we must exercise our freedom, yet restrain ourselves in love lest we cause others to stumble. We must care for the weak and warmly receive outsiders—this is the heart of the church’s holiness that distinguishes it from the world. As Romans 14:10 warns, “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat,” believers who take this seriously choose acceptance and mutual joy over condemnation and division. Only when we accept one another and rejoice in the gospel together can we taste “righteousness, peace, and joy.” This message echoes throughout Pastor David Jang’s sermons and teachings as the gospel’s enduring core—indeed, it is both the starting point and the conclusion of every ministry. By reclaiming it, today’s church can resolve its manifold differences and conflicts “in the Lord,” aspiring to the day when unbelievers will look upon the church and exclaim, “Surely God is among them!” When the church does not merely seek individual fulfillment but restrains freedom out of love to give life to others, the world will at last discover in the church the light of reconciliation and healing.
In the end, whether we consider Paul’s first-century setting or our modern era, the gospel’s fundamental mandate remains the same. We are to accept one another instead of judging, enjoy our freedom yet restrain it for the sake of others, support the weak, and welcome those outside our familiar circles. This is how we live in light of the warning: “We will all stand before God’s judgment seat” (Romans 14:10). When believers abandon criticism and division, choosing acceptance and collective joy in the gospel, we finally partake of “righteousness, peace, and joy” within the church. That is when we experience the true reconciliation Christ achieved on the cross. And in turn, God’s salvation extends to both Jew and Gentile alike. For the modern church, the immediate and crucial task is precisely this—“accept one another” and “pursue harmony.” Pastor David Jang consistently underscores that this is the core of the gospel and the alpha and omega of all ministry.
Therefore, the cardinal rule of “do not judge one another but accept one another in the Lord” in Romans 14, the concrete instruction “do not cause your brother to stumble” in the latter part of chapter 14, and the culminating exhortation in chapter 15 to “serve the weak and open your hearts to Gentiles” must be firmly held by any church community. Conflicts in our faith lives are inevitable, but the gospel never endorses a competitive framework of tearing each other down. Instead, the New Testament vision for the church consistently encourages relationships that edify and serve one another. Remembering this teaching, may the modern church embrace its diverse backgrounds and conflicts so that they merge beautifully “in the Lord,” achieving true unity. Through the fruit of obedience to this principle, unbelievers will witness the church and proclaim, “God truly is among them.” As the church renounces self-centeredness and uses its freedom to uphold one another, the world will see in the church the radiant light of reconciliation and healing.
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