Each day is a blessing from our Good God! Good Wednesday morning to you, my friend!Read Romans 14:7 – 19.
In chapter 14 of his letter to the young church in Rome, Paul specifically addresses food and holy days – these were issues that caused division between the Believers comprising that church.
But as you read the selected verses of what is a fairly complex chapter, read them in the context of other (current) matters that might bring division among today’s Believers. And as you read, keep in mind that Paul is exhorting all of us, as followers of Christ and as members of His body, to walk with understanding towards each other. He tells us in vv 7 that we are all in relationship with each other through Christ “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.”; and, because of Christ, we are all His.
So, Paul goes on to caution each of us not to judge our brother, or to show contempt for them in any matter that is simply a part of that person’s own walk of sanctification (that is, the Lord dealing with that other person’s “stuff” individually). But instead, we are to (vv 13) “resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” and to walk in love towards that brother in Christ.
The Holy Spirit, speaking through Paul, then tells us what is truly important in the Kingdom (vv 17 and 18): “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.”.My brothers, there are many, many things that would move to undo the unity of the Body of Christ – our own fleshly desires are divisive; and certainly, we have an enemy that is truly THE divider. But, if we take to heart the instruction given to us by our Good God, we will overcome these insignificant conflicts, and walk in the power of agreement and love with our fellow Believers.
Because the world is in such turmoil, it needs the unity of the Body of Christ, now more than ever before! Let us, then, be obedient to this word, and “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” (vv 19). Amen!
