Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification. ~ Romans 14:19
In this chapter Paul is writing about the controversy over what foods are acceptable to eat. Many believed that some foods were unclean and should not be eaten by the Christian. Others, however, believed that everything was created by God and therefore clean.
Paul was telling the Christians to respect other's beliefs as well as their strengths and weaknesses and not to cause hardship for others in how they lived their own lives. If one believed that what he was eating was okay but it caused another difficulty in his faith, than he should refrain from eating that food.
While this chapter is talking about respecting other's beliefs
mainly in the context of food, I believe it carries over into other areas of life as well. We need to be careful that what we do is not a stumbling block to someone else. We are all interdependent on one another and we need to be mindful of that in our daily lives. What is right for me may cause another to stumble and I need to be very aware of that fact and live accordingly.
A little later in the chapter there is this verse that sums it up nicely.
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. ~ Romans 14:21
mainly in the context of food, I believe it carries over into other areas of life as well. We need to be careful that what we do is not a stumbling block to someone else. We are all interdependent on one another and we need to be mindful of that in our daily lives. What is right for me may cause another to stumble and I need to be very aware of that fact and live accordingly.
A little later in the chapter there is this verse that sums it up nicely.
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. ~ Romans 14:21
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