Acting in Love
Romans 14:13–23
📖 Scripture
13 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.
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.
15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.
16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
💡 Scripture Summary
Paul tells believers not to judge one another and to avoid putting stumbling blocks in others’ way. Nothing is unclean in itself, but if someone regards something as unclean, then it is unclean for them. Believers are to act in love, pursue peace, and not destroy God’s work over food. Whatever is not from faith is sin.
🔎 Reflection
Thoughtful Faith (14:13–18)
There are some believers in the Roman church who think that certain foods are unclean. Paul knows that no food is unclean in itself, but he instructs those who are stronger in their faith to still be considerate and not cause distress by eating whatever they like in front of those who are careful in their eating habits. Sometimes, we may be strong in our faith and knowledgeable about Scripture yet still put a stumbling block in the way of other Christians by causing them distress through our words or actions. Let us remember that acting in love, especially in front of less knowledgeable Christians, is what is most important; it fosters the righteousness, peace, and joy of the kingdom of God.
Consider what stumbling blocks you may have put in the way of less knowledgeable Christians. Ask God to help you become more aware of the believers around you and more loving in your words and actions toward them.
Pursuing Peace and Edification (14:19–23)
Paul encourages the believers to pursue peace and edification and to not destroy the work of God by causing others to stumble. If they know that all food is clean, they should keep it between themselves and God and not eat or drink in the presence of those who do not share that belief. If they have doubts about whether certain foods are unclean, then partaking of such foods would be sinful because they are not acting in accordance with their faith. We are called to make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification. May we become wiser in knowledge and love deeper as we participate in the work of our Lord.
When have you experienced tension over differing beliefs in church? Think about ways you could help promote mutual edification in your church community.
📜 Memory Verse
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
– Romans 14:19
💬 Today’s Inspiration
“If Christ loved them enough to die for them, should we not love them enough to refrain from wounding their consciences?”
– John Stott
🙏 Prayer
Dear God, I confess that I sometimes judge others for holding beliefs that are different from mine. Help me know what truly matters to You. May I pursue peace and act in love to build up the community and bring honor to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
🖋 Essay
We Grow Together
In today’s passage, Paul exhorts the believers in the Roman church to stop judging others and, instead, act in love. They are encouraged to extend grace to one another and avoid causing distress to their fellow Christians with their words and actions. This is not only Paul’s desire but also God’s. His design is for His people to walk together in harmony, acting in love, grace, and forgiveness toward one another.
As I meditated on this passage, I felt a sting in my own heart. I remembered that I was holding a grudge. I had been judging someone and measuring their actions against my own standards. Though I knew this was sinful, it was not easy for me to change. When I finally surrendered to God and confessed my sin, He opened my eyes to see that this person was actually helpful for me. The other person’s perspective was helping me grow. Now, my attitude has completely changed. I do not focus on judging the other person, and I have learned to embrace our differences.
Though Christians around the world differ in character, thoughts, and gifts, we are all called by God, and we all share a common goal in Jesus Christ. When we remember this and choose to walk together with those God has placed in our lives, we experience true joy. We see the beautiful picture of what our church was meant to be, and God is glorified.
Written by Juyoung Kim