Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables.
Rom 14:4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants?They are responsible to the Lord, so let Him judge whether they are right or wrong. And with the Lord’s help, they will do what is right and will receive His approval.
Romans 14:1-2, 4
For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honour the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honour the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead. So why do you condemn another believer?Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the LORD, ‘every knee will bend to Me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God. ‘”
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat.
Romans 14:7-20
I have taken out all of the verses that related to food or special days from the above portions to show you Paul’s true focus. Notice the segments I have highlighted in bold. These are the extra elements with which Paul has stacked this passage, and are of higher order than his illustration of food and drink etc. Paul is only using food and drink as an example of that which divides us. His point is to not allow it to divide us. Accept others . . . don’t argue . . . don’t condemn others . . . don’t live for yourselves . . . honour God . . . don’t look down on others . . . don’t cause another believer to stumble . . . focus on living for goodness, peace and joy . . . aim for harmony in the church . . . build others up . . . don’t tear apart the work of God.
It’s pretty clear isn’t it when we view it like that. The whole point of this chapter is a continuation of the notion of the unity that we share. Not thinking too highly of ourselves and our opinions or beliefs but guarding the harmony of the church and building others up. This is different from the other occasions when Paul focuses on the matter of food. In the other passages he is addressing an issue the church is facing, correcting an error. In this case he is addressing the principle of unity and encouraging harmony, peace and unity.
God doesn’t need your permission to bless & use me. God doesn’t need my permission to bless & use you.
Rick Warren
Jesus grieves every time I’m more ready to die for a doctrinal / political view than for the Christian Brother I disagree with.
Anon
The space between expectation and reality is fertile ground for anger. Lower your expectations and see what happens.
Max Lucado