What Counts

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

I'm Kirsten Holmberg and I titled our reading, What Counts? My friend recounted how she'd pointedly been asked by a fellow believer and colleague which political party she belonged to. His aim in asking the question seemed to be to predict whether he agreed with her on any number of issues currently dividing their community. In an effort to find common ground between them, she simply replied, Since we're both believers, I'd rather focus on our unity in Christ. People were also divided in Paul's day, though over different issues.

Topics such as what foods were permissible to eat and what days were considered holy brought disagreement among the Christians in Rome. Despite being fully convinced in their own mind on whichever position they held, in Romans 14, Paul reminds them of their common ground, living for Jesus. Instead of passing judgment on one another, he encouraged them to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. In an era where many countries, churches, and communities are divided over issues large and small, we can point one another to the unifying truth of Christ's work on the cross to secure our life with him eternally. Paul's reminder that we ought not destroy the work of God with our individual positions is as timely today as it was 2,000 years ago. Instead of passing judgment on one another, we can act in love and live in a way that honors our brothers and sisters.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Romans chapter 14, verses 13 through 23. Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.

If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Therefore, do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.

It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. So whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.

But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith, and everything that does not come from faith is sin. Let's pray. Jesus, thank you for saving us. Forgive us for the times we get distracted by lesser issues and allow division to occur between ourselves and other believers. Help us to be unified by focusing on you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.