Scripture: Romans 14.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Romans 14:23 (NLT)

23 But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I believe it is evident that in this chapter Paul was addressing some of the same challenges and attitudes that Christians find themselves in today, and because of these arguments between believers, we leave non-Christians frustrated, confused, and in a state of not wanting to be a part of the internal tug-of-war. This is so unfortunate, for who are we to say that one denomination of people is right and another is wrong, just because of what they believe and practice. In fact in verse 4, Paul reminds the Romans and us that we are all responsible to the Lord for what we each believe and practice. Now, based on all that I have read about Paul, I believe that we should never jump to a conclusion that he is saying that we can do everything our sinful bodies want to and everything will be alright between us and God. For I believe that Paul, has clearly explained in his books how one should come to accept Jesus as their personal Savior and develop a personal relationship with Him. Then, just as we would strive to please our spouses by what we know they like and desire, then similarly, we will strive to build our relationship with Christ, by reading His Word and doing those things that we know will please Him. Therefore I believe that when we do the things that we know is right (according to what we have studied in God’s Word), then we are not sinning. Friends, another way to help you understand what the Word says, is by attending a Bible believing/teaching/preaching/practicing church of your choice. Please don’t do so with the preconceived idea that you will find perfect people there, for only God is perfect, but hopefully you will find others like yourself, hungry to learn about what God expects from us as His followers. If you would like help locating a church like this in your area, please contact me through the email address below, and I will do all within my power to help you.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father God, we do such an awful job of representing You fully and honestly. Please help me to change that, for those who have not yet accepted You as Lord, need to see more of You in each of us that say we are Your child. Just like the situation Paul addressed in Romans 14, we too get off track and start looking into the lives of other believers and judging how wrong they are compared to us. This is so, so petty, and so off track compared to what we should be doing in encouraging and lifting each other up as we walk through the temptations, struggles and challenges of this sinful world. Please help us to be so centered on Your business and our calling to win the lost, that we would welcome the efforts of others who are like minded, but yet may be finding others ways in which to do the same work. Please speak to the hearts of those reading this that may have been thrown off their walk because of the unfortunate actions of Your followers. Please help them to see that we have flaws just like non-Christians, but a heart centered on knowing more about You and representing You better each and every day.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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