Romans 14

Paul is clearly developing an idea that we belong to one another and the love he spoke of in the last chapter applies to the mundane things of life, like what you eat or drink at a barbecue. The way to handle differences in these things is not to condemn, but to remember that we all answer to God. That principles governs everything.

Several things stand out:

• Faith is central. Romans 14:23 makes it clear in summary, but the chapter starts out that way, too.
• Our accountability before the Lord is the controlling principle (Romans 14:10).
• We must be able to let other people be accountable before God and not accountable before us (Romans 14:4).
• Love is more important than food -- more important than anything else (Romans 14:15).
• The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Who wouldn't want to live under that kind of reign?