Overview of: RomansToday's Reading:
Romans 14:1 – 15:13
"Tolerance and Unity"
Focus Verses: Romans 15:5-7
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Insight:
Not all Christians will see all issues in the same way. There will be a wide variety of redemptive behavior. Some matters are disputable. People have very different perspectives, backgrounds, and predispositions, which inevitably lead to differences in meaning, understanding, and application. Each of us stands before God on our own two feet, and so we must stop condemning others or passing judgment in matters of personal opinion and honest disagreement. What is most important is that we live in peace, and do all we can to encourage and edify each other. This should be done with a heart to honor God.
Response and Action:
I will not condemn or judge others in matters of opinion. I will strive to live in peace with those who disagree with me. I will do all I can to promote peace, give encouragement, and demonstrate love. I will do my part to build honest, patient, loving, and respectful Christian community. My hope in all of this is to promote love, advance truth, cultivate understanding, and honor God.
O God, make me an instrument of your peace. Let me be love in the midst of hated. Help me promote unity where there is discord. Help me to extend forgiveness when wronged. Help me to bolster faith where there is doubt. Help me to be encouraging when there is despair. Help me to be light where there is darkness. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.
Old Testament for Today: Psalm 133:1
1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
In Context: Psalm 133
Proverb for Today: Prov. 11:9
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Recommended Reading:
The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others
by Scot McKnight
