Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:19)
Do you realize that most conflicts between believers happen over minor issues? Actually most conflicts in most relationships really boil down to minor issues, at least “minor” in the eyes of God. Romans 14 is a great chapter for believers to memorize. The topic in Romans 14 is “gray areas”–areas of life in which there is no clear biblical mandate on what to do or how to live. For examples, Paul brings up the issues of what foods to eat (meat-eater or vegetarian) and what days to honor (sabbath and feast-keepers and people with more flexible schedules). These were big issues between Jews and Gentiles in the early church and it generally created conflict between the two. Today the issues are more like–what music in the church is best? how should you raise your kids? how should the church be involved in politics? what version of the Bible should you use? what methods should you use in evangelism? and so forth.
To these issues, which so often divide Christians, Paul gives three main points of advice:
1. It is really none of your business to judge someone else’s spirituality based on your convictions. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand (14:4).
2. The ultimate evaluation is from God and not from us. You, then, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat (14:10).
3. Pursue the things that make for peace and mutual edification not conflict. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification (14:19).
It really is simple advice. Unfortunately it is so hard to implement. Our pride gets in the way and we tend to evaluate everyone else based on our own standard of spirituality. That is why we have to make “every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.” We have to consciously decide to stop making secondary issues primary and start focusing on our commonalities rather than our differences. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). If a person recognizes their sin, embraces Christ as Savior, and exhibits the life of the Spirit in their attitude and actions, then they are a brother or sister in Christ and regardless of their convictions we are to love them, seek to be at peace with them, and mutually edify them.
Lord, forgive us for our pride and for allowing secondary issues to so often hinder our fellowship. Bring unity to SWBC for Your glory and for the furtherance of Your gospel.