Guiding Principles From Romans 14

The overall lesson from Romans 14 can be found summarized in verses 13 and 19 - Therefore let us 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. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

The early believers in Rome were having conflict. Things like what to eat and when to worship were causing division. The Jews and Gentiles often were on opposing sides. But in this chapter, brother Paul warns against such division. He advises that whatever each believer did, he did unto God. So, for example, if he ate meat because he believed it was ordained by God, he was just as much in good standing with the Lord as the believer who abstained from meat because he believed it to be forbidden by God. Regarding these matters, Paul taught that each believer must answer to the Father, and in these non-essential matters, wherever he landed, he was ok. But what was important was that each believer adheres to what he believed to be the truth from the Father.  

Romans 14:14 - 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.

James 4:17 - If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Each of us has our own unique faith journey. There are some essentials in the scripture that we cannot compromise regarding. But Paul is teaching the early believers that #1) They ought not to allow non-essential matters to cause division, and #2) If a brother was on the opposing side, do what you can to build harmony and unity; not division. So if you are dining with a brother who believes meat ought not to be consumed, out of love, you too should abstain from eating meat at that time.

This is an example of what Paul meant when he admonished the believers to not pass judgment or place a stumbling block in front of others as they are on their journey. Instead, those early believers, just like believers today, were advised to be intentional about making every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Peace. A crucial guiding principle.