Romans 14:19-23 :: Eat and Drink Freely

Romans 14:19-23 (The Message and TNIV)

Paul seems to now make a shift to those who do eat and drink freely, without the hindrance of abstinence.  All food and drink is good, but can be turned badly by the way that we partake.  Just as the strict adherents to the dietary laws could cause problems with others by their insistence on not, those who are free can also cause problems with their freedom.

The point:  "When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don’t eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love." (v21)

When we differ with someone else in our freedoms, whether eating or drinking, our primary concern is how we share the life of Jesus with each other.  No matter what side of the fence we stand, grace (the free exchange of love) should rule the relationship.