So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Romans 14:19 ESV
Peace often entails a certain amount of personal sacrifice at home, in relationships, or even at a national level. When it comes to the body of Christ, peace is vital, or it will not grow or be efficient in its calling to reach others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “For Paul, choosing to edify Christians meant refraining from any activity that caused others to stumble” (Henry and Richard Blackaby, Experiencing God Day by Day: Devotional and Journal).
In this passage, Paul was addressing the disagreement between Jewish and Gentile believers regarding eating certain foods or observing specific days, practices that were not wrong in and of themselves, but a source of controversy within the church. To apply this passage to our current culture, we might consider certain issues such as social media, television, or clothing.
The sticky part is that we are sometimes unwilling to change our habits, even if they are entirely innocent in their intent. We cling to our way of life as if it were more important than another believer’s spiritual walk. The questions I need to ask myself are: 1/ Are some of my personal practices a stumbling block to others? 2/Am I willing to adjust my lifestyle in order to pursue peace and build the kingdom of God? These are hard questions, but they are oh so critical as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Prayer: Help me, Lord, to be sensitive to fellow believers. May I be the first to pursue peace, even if it costs me something. May your kingdom always count for more than my habits and practices. In your name I pray, Amen.
Thought: “Many wish for peace and talk loudly for it, who do not follow the things that make for peace” – Matthew Henry.