Romans 14:19 — “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”

Paul gives us a better pursuit than defending our personal preferences. We are to follow after the things that produce peace and build up other believers. Our liberties concerning what we eat, drink, wear, attend, or practice should never become more important than harmony and edification within the body of Christ.

Christians will not agree on every secondary issue. Some believers hold theological positions different from ours. Some worship differently, and others have convictions or preferences we may never personally adopt. We can choose to major on those differences and create division, or we can recognize what unites every genuine believer.

There is one place we can always meet without compromise: the cross, the resurrection, and salvation through Jesus Christ. We can harmonize around the essentials of our faith while still recognizing that sincere Christians may disagree with us on secondary matters. We can love one another, pray for one another, and work together for the cause of Christ.

We have liberty to hold personal preferences, but we do not have the right to use those preferences to divide the body of Christ or treat one another unkindly. Christian unity is worth more than winning an argument over something God has allowed believers liberty to practice differently.

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