I do not like wearing a mask!
Paul wrote the saints at Rome concerning matters of judgment. Some thought that the eating of certain meats once considered unclean could be eaten; others continued to refrain from eating those meats. It may be that the meats referred to were those which were sold in the marketplace, but had been given to the idols. Some thought it was wrong to eat that meat. There were also special days that were observed by some; others did not look upon them that way.
For the present time in Marion County, Indiana, masks are still required outdoors and in all indoor public places, except if one is eating. Every soul is to be subject to the civil government unless it requires one to do that which is contrary to God's word (Rom. 13:1-7; Acts 5:29). This mandate, which is not opposed to God's law, includes houses of worship. One who refuses to comply is not only in violation of civil government, but he is disobedient to God's law. When this restriction is lifted by the local, state, or federal government, the wearing of a mask will be different. It may be the government will relax this law, merely making it a recommendation. In light of that possibility, consider what Paul wrote:
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. (Romans 14:1–6.)
Before reading any further, I would encourage all to read Romans 14-15:7. If the time comes, when we are no longer mandated by the government to wear masks, but it is left to our discretion, this passage would aptly apply. The wearing of a mask would be in the category of judgment at that point. So, let us consider Paul's reasoning in matters of opinion.
The inspired apostle Paul commands us to receive or welcome one who is weak in faith, but "not to doubtful disputations," that is, not for the purpose of arguing over opinions (Rom. 14: 1). Why fuss over opinions? They are like faces: Everyone has one.
We are not to despise or condemn each other in a matter of judgment. If one thinks that he should wear a mask, I should not criticize or condemn him, nor should he condemn me because I choose not to wear a mask. He may think I am unwise; I may think he is overly cautious, but neither of us should condemn the other because of his opinion. Who am I to judge another man's servant? To his own servant, he stands or falls. God is the judge of all, and he is the one whose approval one needs (Rom. 14:2-4).
Paul said, let everyone be fully persuaded in his own mind. One should not violate his conscience. Whether he is observing or refraining from a particular diet and/or a special day, he does it to the Lord. Both give thanks to God (Rom. 14: 5-6). So, when the mandate is lifted, and the wearing of a mask is voluntary, both the one who wears a mask and the one who refrains from wearing one, gives thanks to God. Their motives are good.
The Holy Spirit, by the pen of Paul, makes a point that we may, at times, overlook: No man is an island; no man lives to himself nor dies to himself. We are in the body of Christ; so, we should give consideration to the concerns of others, even in the realm of opinion. We need each other. We are the Lord's. (Rom. 14:7-9).
Paul inquired: "But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?" (Romans 14:10) So, why judge or despise your brother because he wears a mask or does not wear a mask? To "set at nought" denotes "to make of no account, to despise…to treat with contempt…" (Thayer.) There is no need to condemn a brother or sister because he or she does not wear a mask for "we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ " Keep in mind that I am writing concerning the time when masks may no longer be made mandatory by the government (Rom. 14:10-13).
We should be careful not to put a stumbling block or an occasion to sin before a brother (Rom. 14:13). A stumbling block or an offense is not merely the fact that I do not like your not wearing a mask. However, your not wearing a mask may embolden me to violate my conscience. I may think well So-in-So is not wearing one; so, I will not wear one. But down deep, my conscience condemns me for not wearing one. Thus, I sin by violating my conscience.
Paul knew that no meat was unclean of itself. The Lord Jesus persuaded him of this. However, if a man's conscience considered a particular food or meat to be unclean, then it was unclean. There was a need to teach the weaker brother that any meat could be eaten and that he was no longer obligated to observe special days. But until he was convinced, there was a need to consider his conscience.
Paul wrote, "But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died." (Romans 14:15). If a brother sees you eating meat which at one time was considered unclean, or had been offered to an idol but was then later sold in the market place, and this grieved him, you would not have been walking according to love. "Grieved" here suggests "to distress" him or "make him uneasy." Now, apply that to the wearing of a mask. Why should I make my brother or sister uneasy? I wouldn't say I like a mask (some might think it improves my looks), but if I can keep my brother from being uneasy or causing him to stumble, I should wear one. I do not want to destroy my brother by the eating of meat, nor do I want him to be distressed over my not wearing a mask. Christ died for him too. That which is good in of itself should not be evil spoken of because the kingdom of God is more than meat, drink, and masks.
Romans 14: 8 says, "For he that in these things…." Whom is the he? The one who refrains from offending his brother in the realm of judgment. He is the one who is serving Christ and is acceptable to God and approved of his fellowman. So, Paul exhorts, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things which edify.” Further, he says, "For meat [or masks -bfv] destroy not the work of God." (Rom. 14:20.) Why tear up the church over a matter of judgment? It is not worth it. All things [in the realm of judgment] indeed are pure, but it is evil to cause another to stumble over a matter of opinion.
Paul wrote, "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing [nor to refuse to wear a mask] whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." (Rom. 14:20.)
So for the time being, I will continue to wear a mask.