I want to share a little study on the gray areas in the Christian life. Things that the Bible does not state clearly and dogmatically.

For many years, I majored in minors and minored in majors. I am afraid that as a missionary and pastor, I have made my opinions laws without Bible backing.

As I grow in grace, I study more precisely what the Bible says. I want to be a Bible man. I want to preach and teach clear Biblical truth.

For many years, I was more known for what I was against than for. As I read biographies and history, I am alarmed that I have gotten myself into positions that aren't biblical or historical. I have allowed men to lead me rather than precise Bible study.

I do not want this to be the story of my life. So please bear with me over the next few days as we walk through Romans 14. It will take a minute because I will not move quickly, but I hope to say clearly what the Bible says.

Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

The chapter deals with doubtful disputations, opinions, or gray areas. We will always have people of differing levels of spiritual maturity. We are to receive all of them but not to doubtful meaning dubious; not settled in opinion; undetermined; wavering; hesitating; ambiguous; not clear in its meaning; as a doubtful expression, admitting of doubt; not obvious, clear or certain; questionable; not decided; as a doubtful case; a doubtful proposition; it is doubtful what will be the event of the war, of uncertain issue.

That is a dictionary definition of the word doubtful! So we will be discussing things that are not settled in opinion, not clear in meaning, well, you get the idea!

doubtful from the word meaning to reason, in the sense of dispute, debate, contention with synonyms such as a questioning; contradiction.

That definition is from the meaning of the Greek word.

Now the last word disputations meaning the act of disputing; a reasoning or argumentation in opposition to something, or on opposite sides; controversy in words; verbal contest, respecting the truth of some fact, opinion, proposition or argument.

disputations meaning to distinguish, decide, judge. This also could be rendered as doubts, scruples. Synonyms are diagnosis, judgment, thorough understanding; opinion.

So, let's understand a problem that was going on in the Corinthian church. The problem was what to do about eating meat offered to idols.