“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” – Romans 14:17-19 NIV
Paul shares guidance on how believers should navigate differences in matters of opinion and live in harmony with one another by tackling the issue of food and drink preferences.Some believers have certain dietary restrictions or observances based on their personal convictions, while others have the freedom to eat anything. He advises believers not to judge or look down on one another based on these differences, as each person is accountable to God alone. This is also true of observing holy days. He encourages mutual acceptance and understanding, emphasizing that each person should be fully convinced in their own mind and live in accordance with their personal convictions.
Believers need to prioritize love and unity over personal preferences, and we should be willing to sacrifice our freedoms to keep other believers from stumbling or falling into sin by insisting on their own convictions. The kingdom of God is not about external matters like food or drink, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit. Followers of Jesus need to pursue these virtues, seeking to build up one another and glorify God.
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