Romans 14:1-12 - by Don Neuendorf
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not...
Ah, but here's the rub: what are the "disputable matters"? Which teachings are merely personal preferences, and which are critical truths? Paul himself does not hesitate to pass judgment on some disputes...
"Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!" (Gal.1:8)
"...watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned." (Rom.16:17)
I could quote 50 more pretty easily. Paul clearly understands that there is such a thing as right teaching and wrong teaching. And yet here he says that there are "disputable matters." In theology we call them "adiaphora," things that are neither commanded nor forbidden. In 1 Corinthians Paul warns, "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak."
His principles can really be summed up in the great summary of the Law. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself." We love God when we are concerned to understand and to teach his word correctly, honoring what he has commanded us. And we love our neighbor when we are patient with minor misunderstandings of God's law that do not threaten sound teaching.
This is not always an easy balancing act, but it should be a joyful one because whatever we do in this respect we should be doing out of love, not out of indignation. We act out of our love for God's truth, and/or out of love for God's beloved ones.