Walking in love not judgment
Scripture reading for July 2: Romans 14
“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” Romans 14:13-19
Paul was addressing those in the church that liked religious rules and traditions. Some believers in Jesus had come out of Judaism and still observed dietary laws. They judged Gentiles who were believers and ate anything. Others kept certain feast days in honor of God and judged those who did not. These outward traditions really did not affect their ability to follow Jesus in themselves. The bigger problem was the strife that this generated within Christ’s Body. Paul taught them not to pass judgment on one another, but to trust that God would straighten it all out on Judgment Day.
The key verse is, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Life in the kingdom doesn’t consist of rules or outward observances but rather is a matter of our heart. The King, Jesus, has given us His righteousness and now we all enjoy by grace a right standing in God’s family. Through the blood of Jesus, we have peace with God and are to have peace with our fellow believer. The kingdom is marked by the joy of the redeemed who have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit and all His gifts and fruit. Because we are all on level ground at the foot of Jesus’ cross, we pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding of each other.
Have you ever experienced a judgmental attitude from someone in the church concerning your diet, make-up, or celebration of holidays honoring Christ? How did you respond towards that person? In light of Jesus’ instructions through Paul, how can you keep peace and mutually build up others?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Gift of the Holy Spirit and Christ’s righteousness. Through the Spirit, remind me daily how to walk in love with other believers that may not live in complete freedom in manner of foods or drinks or outward appearance. Use me to keep peace and build up others. Amen.
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