Wednesday, July 5, 2006
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. 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. 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. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (ESV)
by Maryann Palmer
What if our goal here on earth were to live together righteously, peacefully, and joyfully, as a shadow of things to come in God’s kingdom? Here, we notice the faults in others that we can’t even see in ourselves; in heaven, we’ll enjoy each other’s uniqueness, gifts, and talents. Here, we disagree, debate, and get angry about insignificant details; in heaven, we’ll revel in God’s good purposes. Here, we sometimes distress fellow believers with our decisions; in heaven, we’ll all be united in God’s love. Shall we give it a try? Let’s focus on getting along and encouraging each other, and avoid dragging each other down with our fault-finding.
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2008, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service .
