“16 Therefore, do not let your good be slandered, 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and receives human approval. 19 So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. 20 Do not tear down God’s work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong to make someone fall by what he eats. 21 It is a good thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble. 22a Whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God…”
Paul summarizes chapter 14 in these three verses. We should pursue what brings peace rather than what brings the temptation of your brother or sister in Christ to stumble and sin against God and their conscience. In an effort to prevent strife between Jewish and Gentile Christians in the Roman church, Paul instructs them to keep their convictions about the observance of Jewish law and holy days between themselves and God. To exercise the freedoms we have in Christ, when we know that it is causing some to stumble, is driving a wedge between the members of the body of Christ. Build one another up rather than set traps for one another. Do not exercise your God given right at the expense of your brother or sister, who is God’s elect and is the handiwork of God. Even something that is good and right can be used inappropriately.
“Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it.” — Psalms 34:14
“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”. — Romans 12:18
“Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” — Romans 15:2
“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up.” — 1 Corinthians 10:23
This does not mean that it is never appropriate to discuss these doctrines with one another. How could it mean that? Certainly all are encouraged to read, discuss, teach, and preach every part of Scripture. What this does imply is that we don’t force our opinions on others when they aren’t interested in hearing them. Remember, we are instructed, “Let each [of us] be fully convinced in his own mind.” (v. 5b) Also, “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (v. 12) Both of these verses imply a personal study of, and conviction regarding, each of these “disputed matters”, as Paul calls them. Not only that, we will be required to give an account of ourselves to God in relation to our processes and conclusions about these doctrines. Not every Christian will have the same processes or reach the same conclusions. Each Christian may be convinced and convicted differently. That is why we must give grace and withhold judgment of other Christian’s beliefs about these tertiary doctrines.