The Poster Colors
Written for Bible Journey Plan. Our editorial standards.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Romans 14:19 KJV
This is an original fictional illustration, not a historical report or an added Bible event.
The class chose green and gold for its charity poster. Will wanted blue. He kept bringing up the colors until the group spent more time defending its choice than working on the poster.
His teacher asked him to think about the purpose of the project. Blue was not wrong, but neither were green and gold. Will finally used his careful lettering to help the group finish. The poster became clearer when he stopped treating his preference as the whole assignment.
Romans teaches believers to pursue things that make for peace and build others up. That does not mean we ignore sin or change the gospel to avoid disagreement. It does mean some choices can be different without becoming a fight. Will still liked blue best. He could keep that preference and help with a good project at the same time.
Bring the truth into your day
Romans 14 deals with disagreements among believers over matters such as food and days. Paul urges conduct that builds others up. Learn to distinguish a clear biblical command from your own preference. You can hold a preference without treating someone who differs as an enemy. Listen carefully and avoid using freedom to provoke another person's conscience. Peace is helped when we stop making every small difference a test of faithfulness.
Keep the passage in context
Paul is discussing differences among believers over disputable matters such as foods and days. He calls for peace and edification without treating clear sin or essential gospel truth as optional.
Read further: Romans 14 in the King James Bible.