Paul continues his explanation of exercising discernment with the renewed mind. Again, his focus is not on how we can find fault in someone else. We don’t regularly need encouragement or reminders to do that. Instead, he tells us to use that energy to judge whether we are putting “a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother” (Romans 14:13).
In the Old Testament, dietary laws were instituted by God for many reasons. One of the primary reasons was to distinguish the people of God from the Gentiles. Because of this, God had declared certain foods to be unclean. However, Paul makes a surprising admission: “I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself” (Romans 14:14). Paul sides with the stronger brother who eats all things! But before we allow pride to dominate our conversations with weaker brothers, he reminds us, “but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.”
Paul is warning of a danger that exists in the interaction between brothers who disagree with Paul and those who agree with him. It is important here that he specifically tells us his stance, but does not impose it as a command. Paul himself is demonstrating the humility that he tells us is part of the renewed mind.
Martin Luther, in defending his beliefs, famously appealed to the importance of not acting against one’s conscience. Paul here tells us that we should be careful not to lead another brother to violate his conscience.
But notice also that Paul does not defend this care merely as wisdom or knowledge, but as love. Because of love, we do not lead our brother to violate his conscience. Not because he is right. And not because we are right do we consider ourselves free to disregard the conscience of our brothers. Instead, we should, in love, seek to do what is right toward our brothers. We practice our freedom in love.
We do this because Christ died for us both. Christ has died for your brother. Can you not humble yourself enough to avoid harming his conscience? When we do what hurts our brothers, what good are we doing?
Finally, Paul reminds us that we are not saved so that we can eat or drink whatever we want, but for righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Paul does not separate righteousness from peace or from joy in the Holy Spirit. We are not given permission to abandon the truth for peace, but neither are we to abandon love because we possess the truth. All things must be done in righteousness, love, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
For when we exercise our freedom in love, we are not merely accommodating our brothers. We are serving Christ.
-steve