Every Day Devotion

Romans 14:14 [14] 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. (ESV) There are times when we are not sure whether we should do something or not. We may look to Scripture and still have a hard time discerning what we should do. Paul recognized that this would happen and he gives us some practical advice on it. The types of things he is talking about are those things that Scripture is not specifically clear on. There are many things that the Bible is clear about. We do not need to wonder if it is ok for us to murder our neighbor. The Bible clearly says no. It is not a mystery to us whether or not we should steal items from a clothing store. The Bible clearly says we are not to steal. We know that it is never right to bow down to a false god. Again, the Bible is pretty clear. How about giving money to the church? Here is an example where some would say that the Old Testament tithe of ten percent ...

Romans 14:13 [13] 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. (ESV) We know that judging our brother is something that the Lord does not want us to do. This was something that was going on in the early church. As people became very convinced of their way being the right way they began to look at others with condemnation who did not worship and believe in precisely the same way. I am referring to secondary issues of preference, not orthodox issues. We know that part of the reason why it is wrong for us to pass judgment on our brother is because we are not qualified to judge. We are not holy. In fact, we will all stand before the ultimate judge and each one will give an account for his own actions. Without the saving grace of Jesus Christ we would not stand a chance before God's judgment. Paul now shows us in this verse a different reason why we should not judge our brot...

Romans 14:12 [12] So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. (ESV) I have not had to go to a courtroom very many times in my lifetime. I would very much like to keep it that way. The idea of standing before a judge is very intimidating to me. Even if I am there and have done nothing wrong. There is something about being in a courtroom where someone else determines your fate that is terrifying. Perhaps you share my fear of courtrooms and judges. I am about to make it a little worse. As terrifying as any judge or courtroom could be there is nothing more terrifying than the idea of standing before the God of the universe. What is worse is that we can know for certain that we are not standing there in our innocence. No one is innocent! Romans 3:23 says, "All have sinned." We will all have to give an account of ourselves to God. If you are not intimidated by this verse there is probably something wrong with your understanding of who God is or who you are. ...

Romans 14:11 [11] for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (ESV) When it comes to judging our brother or sister in Christ we are given a reality check by the Apostle Paul. When we pass judgment on our brother it is as if we are setting ourselves up as judge over our brother. Paul tells us here that we are not the judge. God is the judge that not only our brother will stand before; but all of us will stand before the Lord. This verse  is in the context of Christians judging other Christians, but Paul is bringing up a bigger concept. The bigger concept is that not only Christians will bow their knee to God as the ultimate judge, but all mankind is included in this idea of judgment. Every single person, whether they have placed their faith in God or not, will bow before God. I have often said that "Every knee will bow; some willingly, some not." Consider the sinner who has lived his whole life...

Romans 14:10 [10] Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; (ESV) We are all different. You can go to any church in America. You can read their doctrinal statement. You will find that while many church members will say that they agree on most things there are probably many things they disagree on. If you have any doubt, stick around long enough to see people in action at a committee meeting. Let's consider some of the things that we tend to disagree on that are not worth passing judgment on our brother about. Here they are in no particular order: the age of the Earth, style of worship, the use of modern technology in a worship service, how long the sermon is, the color of the carpet, whether or not to hire a youth pastor, etc. I have gone on social media and I have been dismayed to find Christians who claim to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior literally bashing other f...

Romans 14:9 [9] For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. (ESV) There is a wonderful hymn of the Church called, "I Surrender All." I can remember my father saying that most Christians should sing that song as "I surrender some." Surrender is a hard word for us. It implies that we have given over control to someone else. That is exactly what it means. The context of the word is that of an army giving up control to the conquering nation. Jesus is the conquering king who has fought against Satan himself to purchase our lives. Satan had a hold on our lives. In reality we were serving Satan before we were rescued by the Savior. In Satan's service we were chained and had no freedom. Like it or not, we were doing Satan's bidding. Through Jesus' victory on the cross we have been purchased, our sins forgiven, and we are now the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again. What purp...

Romans 14:7–8 [7] For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. [8] For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. (ESV) The Christian walk of faith is counter-cultural. Far too many people view Christianity as some sort of club that we belong to that just makes us all a little better. We are in control of everything that we do, and occasionally, if it suits us, we will do what pleases the Lord. This way of thinking goes against the very clear teaching of Scripture. We are not to live to ourselves, we live to the Lord. Think about that for a moment. Do you think that most Christians truly live out this truth? If we lived our lives to the Lord we would not be upset when suffering and persecution came our way. We would not be overwhelmed when the trials and circumstances of life came our way. How about death? We are to die to the Lord, not to ourselves. What does that ...