The Things That Make for Peace

“Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” -Romans 14:19

Paul reminds believers that although we have liberty in Christ, that liberty is never a license to live however we want. Freedom in Christ is always guided by love for Christ and love for others. In Romans 14, Paul addresses the “gray areas”—those matters that are not sinful in themselves but can become stumbling blocks when handled carelessly. In his day, the debate centered around eating meat that may have been offered to idols. Some believers felt free to eat, others felt convicted not to. Instead of pursuing peace, they pursued arguments. Instead of building each other up, they tore each other down. Paul’s message is simple: liberty must never overshadow love.

We face the same challenges today. Our “gray areas” may look different—movies, music, holidays, styles, or personal convictions—but the heart issue is the same. Sometimes a careless comment or a sarcastic remark can wound someone deeply, even if it was meant as a joke. Words can build or break. Paul says, “Who are you to judge another’s servant?” (Romans 14:4 NKJV). In other words, every believer ultimately answers to God, not to the opinions of others. If a person can stand before God with a clear conscience, that matter is between them and the Lord. But we must also be honest with ourselves—liberty is never an excuse to indulge sin. We know what is right and what is wrong.

The call in Romans 14:19 is to pursue peace and pursue edification. Peace doesn’t happen accidentally; it requires intentional effort. Edification doesn’t happen naturally; it requires choosing words and actions that lift others up rather than tear them down. Instead of trying to make ourselves look spiritual at someone else’s expense, Paul urges us to focus on how they treat the Lord, not how they measure up to our standards. Everyone falls short, but everyone can be justified by His grace.

Are your words building others up or tearing them down? Are you pursuing peace or pursuing your preferences? Ask God to help you walk in love, to use your liberty wisely, and to strengthen others rather than stumble them. Pursue the things that make for peace—and watch how God uses your life to edify those around you.

“The harlot, the liar, the murderer, are short of it; but so are you. Perhaps they stand at the bottom of a mine, and you on the crest of an Alp; but you are as little able to touch the stars as they.” – Bishop Handley Moule