ROMANS 14
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. 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. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. – Romans 14:13-19
ROMANS 14 SEEK PEACE AND MUTUAL UPBUILDING
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When you think highly of yourself
You will likely put down others
If you serve the Lord Jesus Christ
You ought to look too at others’ interests
Seek peace and live harmoniously
Pursue what is for mutual upbuilding.
It is easy to pass judgment on others without looking inside of us. The world’s system propagates standards for us to follow that doesn’t take into account each person’s best interests. It only focuses on what benefits the powerful and the rich, but marginalizes the poor and vulnerable. We were born in these standards. At a very young age, we received such mindsets from the world family systems, school systems, and later the community at large. It is ingrained in each one of us. We automatically think and follow the world’s systems. Unless we have been regenerated in Christ, we will follow our old nature that is selfish and sinful.
Paul reminds us not to hinder the peace or growth of someone else by judgments. He admonishes us to pursue peace and focus on ensuring that we don’t put a stumbling block on others. He also stresses the importance of being accepting and understanding other people’s differences so we don’t judge them or create divisions.
REFLECTION
- What trials do we face in our world today that makes peace challenging?
