Day 80

"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." (Romans 14:19)

The book of Romans is a favorite of many preachers. In this book the apostle Paul convinces us that we are all slaves to sin, chained up and imprisoned by our own selfish wickedness. He concludes that only by the mercy of God through faith in Jesus Christ can our chains be broken and we be made free from the bondage of sin and death. Then our life is made new in Christ; we are then made slaves of righteousness, doing good and glorifying God. And its this doing good and glorifying God that I would like to look at today.

You can see from the verse I began this email with that God wants us to make a path of peace and reconciliation with others in our life. The goal is to build up others in the faith, hope and love of Jesus Christ so that none of us is lacking any spiritual need. But the best part is that he actually teaches us how to do this.

He has already revealed to us that the Christian life is one of freedom, not law. Therefore all things are made pure (v. 20). But does this mean that we should indulge in everything, or should be abstain from some things, even though we are free to do so? He gives the answer in the following verse:

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14:17)

You see, he is teaching us that God's kingdom, in which we live, is not a matter of what we do or what we eat or what we drink. Its about living an acceptable life of peace and joy with God and man. Therefore, he encourages to do no thing in this life that will offend another believer.

Now he is not talking about accidentally offending your brother or sister. He specifically means, "Do not do anything on purpose to offend your brother or sister." For if we do something by accident we may seek forgiveness with our brother and sister, but if we do it on purpose we have done evil in the sight of God. So he gives us some very practical advice:

"It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." (Romans 14:21)

I pray that you will enjoy your Christian life of freedom, but please do not participate in those things which are pure if your goal is to purposely offend those whose conscience is weak. Esteem every man, woman, and child better than yourself and you will begin to love others as Jesus Christ has loved the world.

With love for God and man,

Jay Silvas