Romans 14:7-9: For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. (NKJV)
Believers today have a lot of arguments about what to wear, which day to worship, which events to celebrate, the type of music to listen to and what foods to eat. Romans Chapter 14 stresses the importance of a character of love and being non-judgemental about personal preferences among believers.
The devotional for today focuses on these matters from the insight Apostle Paul shared in Romans chapter 14.
Concerning issues not essential to salvation, each person is to make sure they are:
i. Fully persuaded about their choice (Romans 14:5; 14:21)
ii. Doing it unto the Lord (Romans 14:6-9)
iii. Ready to give account at the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:11-12)
iv. Determined not to use their personal preference as a badge of superiority over others (Romans 14:13a)
v. Determined not to cause others to stumble or fall by their choices (Romans 14:13b,14-21; 1 Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 5:13)
It should also be clear that matters considered non-essential to salvation are matters of personal preference that have nothing to do with sin or even an appearance of sin (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
Consider every decision and choice you make about dressing, music, worshiping God, eating and drinking. Can you say you are fully persuaded in your mind? Can you say you are doing it to the Lord?
Can you say you are doing it with the consciousness that one day, you will give account to God?
Can you vouch that no one who is a weak brother or sister in Christ will fall because of your actions?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, you have to make amends.
1 Peter 2:16: For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. (NLT)
PRAYER: Thank you for the truth of your word dear Lord and for the liberty available in Christ Jesus. Please let love for you and for other believers guide all my choices. Help me to live daily in the consciousness that I no longer belong to myself and I am to live for you. Please give me the grace to edify other believers and not cause anyone to stumble by my choices. In Jesus name. Amen.