- Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. Romans 14:18 – If their lifestyle and way they choose to serve and honor God is simply just different than yours never judge them and condemn them for that. Of course if it’s sinful then we need to tell them, but make sure it’s sinful to God and not just according to you. Like we need to understand if someone chooses to serve God by wearing a suit and tie they are approved by God. So is though the guy wearing the ripped jeans, Jordans, and hoodie that’s faithfully serving God. Or the ones who uses KJV versus NLT translations in their faithful service to God, they too are accepted by God. Even the people who go to mega churches and those who go to small rural churches, if they are serving God faithfully He accepts them. We must stop putting up dividers between and stumbling blocks in front of the people who simply serve God differently than us. It may look, sound, feel, and relate differently, but if it’s faithfully obeying the mission it’s all good with God. Let it be good with us then too. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1062
- 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. Romans 14:13 – This chapter is Paul focusing in on the judgement that believers often carry on other believers. Where one follower of Jesus sees something one way, and another a different way, and as a result there is judgement, division, and sometimes even hatred for each other. God’s heart would be that this not be the case. The minor differences in what we say is ok to eat, drink, wear, or do shouldn’t be something that divides brothers and tears down the faith of others. Instead, we should have a heart to remove anything that could be a stumbling block for a brother of sister in Christ. In the freedom that I have in Christ, I can choose to not partake or not behave in certain ways for I know it will help my brother. This is the heart behind the freedom Christ gives us. Not to use it for sin, but to use it for helping others grow in their faith. If then something you are doing is acceptable to God, but your brother isn’t yet grown in his faith yet to fully understand that truth or you know this would cause him to stumble seeing you do such a thing, choose to use the freedom you have in Christ to walk in love and not trip up your brother. Ask, “Will this cause my brother or sister in Christ to be stronger in their walk or weaken it?” If stronger, go for it, yet if it will cause your brother’s faith to weaken then be the loving brother and choose to not do whatever that may be. This is not taking away your freedom in Christ, this is you using it to its fullest and loving your brother well all at the same time. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2423
Daily DEVO 