One passage that seems to be the liberal gateway is this passage.  It is often used to state that if you believe that something is right then you are fine, even if that something is wrong.  (Romans 14:23) “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”  The truth behind this passage is the exact opposite of what is taught by those in error.  Paul is telling those in Rome to be sure.  They should NOT do things that are not of faith.  They should not risk being wrong.  We are going to look at this simply through the word.

    First of all we must look at what faith is and how it is obtained.  Here is God’s definition of faith.  (Hebrews 11:1) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Here is God telling us how to obtain faith.  (Romans 10:17)  “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  Now let’s define the word.  (John 17:17) “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”  That makes this subject cleared I do believe.  If we have faith is something it is because of the word since that is how we obtain faith.  The word is truth so our faith must be based on the truth of the Gospel.  How can error come from truth?  By the misuse of passages such as (Romans 14:23).  If the Bible does not meet what some want they simple try to pervert it.  We must remember that in Matthew chapter four when Christ was tempted Satan tried to use scripture.  So do many of our false teachers today. 

    We are told to mark and avoid those who are false teachers.  We are told to do this and warned of those false teachers trying to deceive with fair words.  (Romans 16:17-18) “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”  We need to have our heads in the book so that we are not so easily moved from the truth by sweet talkers.

    Thinking a little about those that were doing what they “believed” to be right, we can reflect on the Apostle Paul.  Paul thought that he was doing what was right.  He thought that his persecution of Christians was right.  He had faith in what he was doing.  In his defense in Acts 26 he tells those present this.  Yet, we know that Christ was not happy, even though Paul thought he was right.  Christ asked him why he persecuted him (Acts 9:4-5).  The arguments of many of those misusing (Romans 14:23) would have cleared the Apostle Paul of his sin.  Yet, Paul continued in realizing the wrong that he had done.  He calls himself the least of all saints (Ephesians 3:8). 

    (I John 3:4) “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”  Sin is transgression of the law.  There is no way to get around that.  When we go beyond the authority of Christ, we will be judged for such (John 12:48).  No matter what package someone tries in escaping Bible Authority it is still wrong.  God’s word is the final word (II Peter 1:3 and Galatians 1:8-9).
 
 
 

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