<p>14:19 <i>So then let us follow after things which make for peace</i>- The endless disputations about law do not make for peace, neither with God which is how Paul often uses the idea of peace nor with men. Again we note that Paul came down on one side of the argument- for he writes that there is nothing unclean in itself. But this point was not to be pushed and made the source of endless argument. For peace between believers is the fruit and intention of the Spirit. And again there is a connection back to the more theoretical section of Romans, where Paul uses the same word in saying that Israel who 'followed after' legalistic righteousness did not attain it (9:30,31).</p><p>Lk. 14:32 records the parable of the man with a small army going to meet the General with a far larger army- and then wisely desiring &quot;conditions (lit. 'things') of peace&quot;. The man is clearly us, and the General coming with His hosts is evidently the Lord Jesus; we are to come to peace with Him before the final meeting of God and man in judgment. But this Greek phrase 'things of peace' recurs in Rom. 14:19, where Paul speaks of making every effort to live at peace <i>with our brethren</i>, e.g. being sensitive to their scruples about food. Paul clearly understood that our peace with God cannot be unrelated to our peace with our brethren. To make peace with God and His Son as required in Lk. 14:32 must have some practical issue- and practically, it means living at peace with the rest of God's children.</p><p><i>And things whereby we may edify one another</i>- Paul repeats this in 15:2: &quot;Let each of us please his neighbour for his good, to encourage him&quot;. &quot;Encourage&quot; is s.w. &quot;edify&quot; or 'build up'. We take our place within the congregation thinking how we can build up the one next to us. And that requires wisdom; we have to choose our issues, losing a few battles to win a war. And arguing over the food issues was not going to build anyone up. Let that one go, just as the Lord let go the issue of folks believing in demons; focus instead on something positive which will really improve or build up our neighbour within the church. This approach of course is at variance with the mindset which insists that because truth has been perceived over one issue, we must keep on and on about that issue, until we either drive our brother out of the church or we split the community.</p>