BIBLE COMMENTARY/Romans 14: 19
ROMANS 14: 19 – Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
– God always wants humans to be at peace in their lives and towards others. He even wants Christians to be better in that aspect (Hebrews 12: 14).
– Loving peace does not mean being a coward (Revelation 21: 8). Christians must be courageous like other heroes in the Bible (Hebrews 11: 32-34, 1Corinthians 16: 13), especially in proclaiming Christ as our Savior (1Peter 3: 15), but we must also seek peace with everyone and try our best to avoid conflict. God also allows us to defend ourselves in case of danger or of threat by those who seek the destruction of Christianity (Haggai 2: 4, Philippians 1: 7).
– There are many ways to make peace with others and Christians should employ all of them. We should share our knowledge about them and encourage our brothers and sisters to use them in their daily lives.
– We should always lead by good example for others, especially for our brothers and sisters, so that we can glorify God in whatever we do and win others over for God. We should try our best to build a good reputation for the Christian community and uphold the Bible standards as we live our lives on Earth.
QUOTED VERSES:
HAGGAI 2: 4 – Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts
1CORINTHIANS 16: 13 – Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
PHILIPPIANS 1: 7 – Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
HEBREWS 11: 32-34 – And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets, who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
HEBREWS 12: 14 – Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
1PETER 3: 15 – But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
REVELATION 21: 8 – But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death