“Therefore, let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak” (Romans 14:19-21).
It is impossible to walk in love for a brother by grieving and wounding his conscience in matters of indifference to God.
It is impossible to be focused upon the kingdom of God and its essentials of righteousness, peace, and joy by judging a brother’s conscience on dietary matters.
It is impossible to pursue peace and edify (i.e., build up) someone by destroying their conscience in matters of liberty.
It is impossible to love God by destroying the work of God for the sake of food.
Everything created by God can be eaten as food. All things indeed are pure, but there are few, if any, of us who probably want to eat mice, worms, dogs, grasshoppers, caterpillars, bats, or horses even once. We have God’s permission to; but, how many of us want to exercise our liberty with any of these menu items?
Just as you would never do anything which violates the dictates of your conscience and stomach, you should extend that same respect for your brother’s menu choices. It is good to not eat or drink anything which makes your brother stumble, or offended, or weakened spiritually.
Brotherly love takes precedence over personal liberty. Do not destroy God’s work of salvation in your brother in Christ for the sake of food.
