The Devotional - R047

The Devotional

Comment:

One of the major issues a child of God faces while seeking to mature spiritually is found in the meetings of any church assembly. It is the body language, comments and facial expressions of another brother or sister. The need is to remain in the Spirit and keep one’s self focused on the LORD Jesus Christ. We do not want to be caught up in judging others as some do since we are commanded to clothed in the Righteousness of the LORD, Romans 13:14. All judging is sinful and this we know, yet all too often we see people fall away from fellowships because their faith has been weakened by someone who is not being sensitive to esteeming that one as more important than themselves or someone else – Philippians 2:1-4. Holding someone in high regard, who may or may not be immediately lovable is not a voluntary opinion in the eyes of the LORD, it is however a command of humble reverence and service to God.

Challenge: Romans 14:4-9

Our manner of living changes little after being saved by the grace of God, we still like certain holidays that may not be observed by others. We still eat the same foods that others may find offensive, but there is a difference. As God’s child; we give thanks being fully convinced in what they esteem in their normal day as blessed by God. If what I do is not pleasing to you, what have I to fear; your judgment should be rejected by you thus meaning nothing to me. Yet, if what I do is unpleasing to God, His judgment will stand tall and I will correct what I do, as it is God who makes me stand pure.

Sometimes people feel as though they are stranded on an isle in the middle of an ocean, yet when they open their eyes they see that they are in the middle of a church fellowship. The sea is the tempest of people all around and there they are being swallowed up in a wave of emotional disappointment, isolated and drowning in weakness of faith. Yes, I agree that some of this is self-inflicted, but much of the time, others are willingly or knowingly ignorant by being unwilling to reach out. How do I know this? 

Have you ever thought in your heart, “I should go over and talk with that person” and then in the same thought, “nah! He or she is alright, God is able to make them stand, so let God take up the slack.” In part this could feel right, but it may be that God has made you aware of that person’s loneliness and that He is sending you to be the encourager whom you are; if you were not judging wrongly at that moment. We are never alone, God is always present therefore we live and die in the presence of God, yet sometimes it is nice to have a flesh and blood brother or sister in Christ to comfort us.

I like Romans 14:9-10 – For to this end Christ died and lived again, what power and love is present in God our Savior who willingly died as a sacrifice for all our sin in order that He might claim us as His children! He alone is all powerful and loving, He alone is LORD of both the dead and the living. So why should we allow ourselves to judge one another wrongly? Why should we reveal contempt for a brother or sister? For we shall ALL stand before the judgment seat of God, think on these things to today, you will be glad you did!