Correspondence

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 7
Answer: Chapter 14 to 15:7 is showing how Christians were to bear with each other. Some had been Jews, the others Gentiles. A Gentile would naturally leave all his idolatrous ways behind. A Jew would hold to the ceremonial rules he had been brought up in. Each was to be fully persuaded in his own mind, and not to try to force another brother’s conscience. To force another’s conscience would destroy his communion with God. No one lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. Our influence should therefore be used for good and not for evil.
Christianity recognizes that we are heavenly, and thus set free from ordinances, but there is the need to care for a weak brother whose conscience might be offended by our liberty. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. The apostle knew (verse 14) that nothing was unclean of itself, but one that esteemed it unclean, must not be forced against his conscience. He must be helped on, and borne with as a weak brother. (Read Chapter 15:5-7).