devotional

Romans 14:13-19 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (ESV)

In Romans 14:13-19 the apostle Paul openly commands us not to judge and look down on others people (vs. 13). He says at the end of verse 13, instead, be focused on improving your own Christian life and walk with your Lord so that you won’t be a stumbling block or obstacle to others around you. In simple terms that means we should make every effort in our Christian walk to live a Godly life before our fellow man at all times.

Paul continues on in verses 14 and 15 as he addresses the issue of eating certain foods and observing certain days of the week. Obviously the culture and rules of his time restricted certain religious groups from eating specific foods on specific days as a rule or law of their faith. This still stands true today with some religious groups such as the Jewish and Catholic faiths.

Paul admonishes the people he is addressing that simple issues of food should by no means cause separation or lack of love for your brother and sisters in Christ. Paul says in vs.16, “do not allow what you consider good to be spoken in evil.” In other words Paul is saying don’t let small issues drive a wedge between God’s people and then have them resort to evil words that will cause division in God’s family.

I think that vs. 17 is the key verse in 14: 13- 19. Paul clearly tells us that the true understanding and full Christian experience is not about legalistic issues (the do’s and don’ts of life) but it’s about living a Godly righteous life of peace and joy through the experience of the Holy Spirit.

Key Thoughts:

The Gospel clearly tells us that joy in the Lord is linked with our obedience to God. It is not that His love is conditioned on our obedience. That would truly be legalism. But rather our experience of His love is dependent upon our obedience. Jesus said in John 15:10-11 “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

An example I think would be when King David fell out of fellowship with God when he committed the awful sins of adultery and murder, he lost his sense of Gods joy because he lost his fellowship with God. After that David prayed to God to “restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Palms 51:12). It is true that a life of disobedience to God can not be a life of joy.

So often we see today in our current world around us so many people searching for joy and happiness and not finding it in the things of the world (money, power, material things, fame) if only they would open their hearts and minds to the Lord they could find the true joy God intended them to have .

In Matthew 25:21- 23 the Lord said to the two servants who used their talents wisely, “well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord. One of the many wonderful promises God has given us as Christians is the possibilities of walking in joy through our lives by being free from sin because of the ultimate sacrifice that Christ made on our behalf.

May we look forward to the day when we meet Him in Glory and experience the ultimate joy of His presence.

Jim Nearhoof (Deacon)