Five Things I Learned from Romans 14: We learn how to live at peace with our brothers and sisters.

How to live at peace with our brothers and sisters.

We can learn a lot simply by reading the Bible. Let’s go take a look!

One: 1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 21  It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. Romans 14:1, 21

This is verses 1 and 21; Paul is addressing a problem that seems foreign to us; can we eat meat sacrificed to idols? In short, he says not to do anything that would cause a brother, meaning people, to stumble. Why? Because we are to consider everyone more important than ourselves, Philippians 2:3-5. We must be careful not to cause others to sin.

Two: 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s Romans 14:7-8

This debate on meat sacrificed to idols can be divisive to no good end. We have to keep in mind what it is we are here for, and Who we belong to and live for. We live for Jesus, we are covered by His blood (meaning His sacrifice on the cross cleanses us), and He is our Lord, God, and teacher, John 13:13.

Three: 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Romans 14:9

Paul continues the “why” we are to place others before us. Simply put, Jesus is God (John 8:55-59, John 20:28, among many, many others). He is Lord of all things, and His Name is above all things and all time (Philippians 2:8-11). Jesus therefore is the one we should live for, not for food or some other theological nuance. The people we live with are important!

Four: 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. Romans 14:13

Therefore, don’t act in any way that could put someone’s faith at risk. This is true for us all, but even more so for leaders. We are all to be examples to everyone for the sake of the gospel.

Five: 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Romans 14:17-19

Righteousness is important in the kingdom, as is peace and joy. When we truly serve God, we are approved by people, some of whom may not be believers, not yet. We are responsible for building up everyone, and not for gaining our own honor.

Once again, we can learn a simple but profound and important lesson from just reading a chapter in the bible. We do not have to be great theologians to learn how to behave and see what God is like, it is all put right in front of us. By God’s design we learn how to live at peace with our brothers and sisters.

This is not an in-depth study of Romans 14, but this is what I see about treating, honoring, and building up the people in my church and community. We are given a choice by God; we can choose to be the one who builds up the church, or to tear it down in selfishness. We can make a difference in our world, and that is good news!