Rom 14:12 And so each of us shall give an account of himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God.
Rom 14:13 Then let us no more criticize {and} blame {and} pass judgment on one another, but rather decide {and} endeavor never to put a stumbling block {or} an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother.
Rom 14:14 I know and am convinced (persuaded) as one in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is [forbidden as] essentially unclean (defiled and unholy in itself). But [none the less] it is unclean (defiled and unholy) to anyone who thinks it is unclean.
Rom 14:15 But if your brother is being pained {or} his feelings hurt {or} if he is being injured by what you eat, [then] you are no longer walking in love. [You have ceased to be living and conducting yourself by the standard of love toward him.] Do not let what you eat hurt {or} cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died!
Rom 14:16 Do not therefore let what seems good to you be considered an evil thing [by someone else]. [In other words, do not give occasion for others to criticize that which is justifiable for you.]
Rom 14:17 [After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Rom 14:18 He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable {and} pleasing to God and is approved by men.
Rom 14:19 So let us then definitely aim for {and} eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another.
Rom 14:20 You must not, for the sake of food, undo {and} break down and destroy the work of God! Everything is indeed [ceremonially] clean {and} pure, but it is wrong for anyone to hurt the conscience of others {or} to make them fall by what he eats.
Rom 14:21 The right thing is to eat no meat or drink no wine [at all], or [do anything else] if it makes your brother stumble {or} hurts his conscience {or} offends or weakens him.
Rom 14:22 Your personal convictions [on such matters]--exercise [them] as in God's presence, keeping them to yourself [striving only to know the truth and obey His will]. Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves [who does not convict himself by what he chooses to do].
Rom 14:23 But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions {and} he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate {and} proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].
Rom 15:1 WE WHO are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings {and} the frailties {and} the tender scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and not to please ourselves.
Have you ever been in the personal company of people who call themselves "vegs?" Some how they just have an appearance publicly that announces their preference as if it were the only way to eat. Sometimes when Christians fast, they are quick to tell everyone what they are surviving on as far as nutrition goes. We get caught up in whether someone is or is not a Christian if he happens to smoke, or go to bars to play pool, or allow things in their lives that we don't. In the day we live in, we must remember Paul's words when he spoke and said: "I become as they are in order to win them to Christ." The word of God shows us constant examples of injustice in the way people were treating each other "in the body of Christ, as out in the world." Cover the weak brother or sister with mercy and show love and support to those who are not so popular among you. Invite people to dinner who can't pay you back. Don't allow what you allow to tempt someone who may be just overcoming some struggle in that area. What you allow in life might be his stumbling block. Bottom line, be an encourager no matter what you allow or do not allow. On Thanksgiving for example, I do not ask anyone to fast on that day and go feed those in nursing homes when the staffs are short handed. There are many things that I personally do and choose to do, just to separate myself from the "things" of this world. Not that they would lead me to sin, but that I guard against them having power over me. Let Jesus "in you" be a building foundation block for others and make your mind up to not be a stumbling block to any person.
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