This chapter clears up a lot for me. It renders useless the arguments and strivings of a great multitude of believers. So then what of debatable matters?
4Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Paul makes it clear. Our duty lies not in passing judgment or arguing about such matters. We simply need to be sure that we prepare ourselves to stand before our Master. Whether we eat certain foods or honor certain days is of little consequence. What matters is that we must be able and ready to give an account of our lives to God.
Paul doesn’t really mince words on this topic. People will decide to live differently but God will accept all of us who live by faith in Jesus Christ. As Christ-followers, we possess great freedom, but we need to be sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit.
Paul does make clear that we should avoid causing anyone else to stumble. If our freedoms hinder the faith of another, we should limit ourselves.
20Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
Pray without ceasing, listen to the Spirit, live in freedom, and consider others’ perceptions before you act.