Read: Romans 14:1-23
Think: In today’s reading, Paul is calling “the church” to be lovers of the weakest, build each other up, never cause another believer to stumble, and live in harmony. Wow! He is giving very specific teaching that requires…maturity. In other words, he is asking believers to live sacrificially and unselfishly which will result in the following:
“…living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.”
Act: Paul is challenging those in the church to help young believers live above the culture. His teaching is reflected numerous times throughout other New Testament books, including our upcoming readings in I & II Corinthians. In Romans 14:13, he writes, “…Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.” My goal, as a pastor, has been to encourage the strongest in our church to present to the youngest and weakest in our church, how to live joyfully above the culture! We have made it an integral part of our 100 Days of Faith in Action to have super fun nights with all ages in our church—with rowdy games, lots of food, and much laughter. Why? We not only want to provide an atmosphere of safe fun, but to show a church body that it is possible to have incredible joy without alcohol or drugs. By this, we allow the Holy Spirit to give us joy and we have no part in bringing temptation into a weaker person’s life. Read today’s chapter again. Ask God to bring anything to your mind that you do that might cause a younger, weaker believer to stumble. Prayerfully consider giving this habit to God.
Pray: Dear Jesus, show me any area of my life or any habit that causes another believer to stumble. Give me courage to live sacrificially, to let go of what I might want to do in order to keep another believer from temptation. Grant me an extra measure of Your Holy Spirit’s power, love, courage and joy! Oh, how I need You. Amen.
Be full of faith today!
