Day 44 0f 90 days Through the New Testament
Daily Reading Romans 13-16
Wow...Romans 14 really comes in swinging, doesn't it?
"So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” (Romans 14:10 NLT)
We're so quick to point out the flaws in others, especially other believers but why? I think sometimes it's because judging someone else distracts us from our own insecurities. It's easier to talk about their mistakes than deal with what's really going on inside of us. But Paul reminds us it's not our place to sit in the Judge's seat. That's God's alone.
Romans 15 takes it even further. It says, “We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive... We must not just please ourselves.” That's what spiritual maturity looks like, using our strength to lift others, not look down on them. Verse 5 wraps it all up perfectly: “May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other.”
And then Paul closes out in Romans 16 by thanking all the people who helped build and carry the message of Christ. He names them one by one, ordinary people who stood beside him, prayed for him, and worked hard behind the scenes. It's a beautiful reminder that we're not called to compete, but to complete one another in the body of Christ.
So before we rush to condemn, lets pause and remember, we're all still growing, all still learning, all still being shaped by grace. When we stand before God one day, He won't ask how many people we corrected, He’ll ask how well we loved.
Grace over Judgment, Unity over Division, and Love that reflects the heart of Jesus.
Love Pastor Mandy
Ark of Hope Ministry
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