(Rom 15:1) “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”  Notice the rule of thumb: not to please ourselves. The New Testament speaks often of “love”. It is most always using the word for sacrificial love. Others before self, the Lord God before everyone and everything the foundation of Christianity.

(Rom 14:23) “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”   Beware that the thing we allow is not against God’s Word. If it is brought to our attention and the Scriptures confirm it, then we are to disallow it, for the conscience is not our guide – the Word of God is.

(Rom 14:23) “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”  This world needs an example of self sacrifice in the face of weakness of conscience. Such love may open the heart of the lost to hear the truth regarding all things.

(Rom 14:22) “Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” Keep the context in mind. It is not sin for that which you eat or enjoy by faith with clear conscience. It becomes sin when you put that thing before the conscience of another, putting self before others.

(Rom 14:21) “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” Others before self, true sacrificial love, loving our neighbors as ourselves: this verse puts all that into practice.

(Rom 14:20) “For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.” Destroy in what way? The soul put off by our action; the harmony among the church. The thing which is not in itself a sin becomes a sin for us, for our freedom is to do as we ought rather than as we please.

(Rom 14:19) “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”  “Follow after the…things wherewith one may edify another.” If we have offended another person’s conscience through something we allow into our life, they will resent us and therefore not listen to godly instruction from us. If we are to edify, build them up spiritually, we will have to first cast aside the thing that offends them. Is their soul’s good worth it?

(Rom 14:19) “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Some have mistaken this to mean it was all right to overlook doctrine. No, that is God’s. Context: self’s desires. Put away self’s desires for the sake of peace, the soul that needs Christ Jesus.