Romans 14

As Paul wrote the Roman saints, he recognized that each convert, whether Jew or gentile, was at varying stages of learning and progress. His first counsel seemed to be more to those that had been more religious (maybe such as the Jews) saying -

"HIM that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations." (New Testament | Romans 14:1)

In other words, do not be critical of those that one may consider more weak than themselves. We should receive them with love. Paul seems to use the analogy of food in that the Jews had for years had a strict code considering that which they ate -

"For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him." (New Testament | Romans 14:2 - 3)

Next Paul counsels that we should honor and respect our leaders even though they are fellow citizens with the saints -

"Who art thou that judgest another man's servant [or in my mind - God's preisthood leader] ? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand." (New Testament | Romans 14:4)

And then what I think it the greatest counsel as we associate and in a sense judge of fellow saints -

"Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way." (New Testament | Romans 14:13)

It is apparent that many Jews had set what they thought was a higher standard in the foods or Mosaic laws they lived. It was important, that in their self righteousness, they did not create stumblingblock for new converts on matters that were not necessarily essential to salvation. We see this today in the Church with such things as "diet coke" - if you know what I mean. In other words -

"...there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean." (New Testament | Romans 14:14)

Therefore -

"...the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (New Testament | Romans 14:17)

"For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." (New Testament | Romans 14:18 - 19)

I found the last verse of the chapter very meaningful -

"...he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (New Testament | Romans 14:23)

I believe what Paul is teaching is that we are to obey commandments in faith. This may not be as others may see it, but I believe Paul is suggesting that if we believe something to be right, we should obey in faith and if we don't, then it may be to our own condemnation sin. Yet at the same time, we should not hold others or judge others to the same standard. This would be in regards to matters that would not necessarily be necessary unto salvation (such as drinking Diet Coke).