BOOK OF ROMANS

WEEK FOURTEEN: LOVE AND UNITY

READ: CHAPTER FOURTEEN

COMMENTARY ONLY

COMMENTARY & SCRIPTURE

DEVOTIONAL

Chapter Fourteen – LOVE AND UNITY

Unity requires humility. Unity glorifies God. Unity includes sacrifice.

If you love Jesus, then you will love all people in the body of Christ.

There is diversity in God’s family that includes a wide range of personalities and preferences. Paul writes to people who have different convictions about food and sacred days. These disputable matters are often called the gray areas of the Christian life. Many situations are not right and wrong overall, but offer a few options within the Biblical framework. Don’t look down on someone who has less or more freedom. Don’t judge people over things that are not essential. Don’t get caught up in petty topics. Don’t cause others to stumble.

All decisions should be made in love, humility, and faith.

For example, selecting meals, movies, and music should be done with the goal of honoring God. Guard the unity we have in Jesus. Value the personal relationship more than rigidity. Be a peacemaker and a bridge so that the family of God can be inspiring and not divisive. God will give wisdom to us when we ask and honor His word.

Just Choose Hope

HOPE POINT

Every decision you make is significant and inspiring when you abide with Jesus.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. How is faith linked to food decisions? (Romans 14:1-4)

2. What does it mean to do everything for God’s glory? (Romans 14:5-8)

3. How does the fact that you are accountable to God change how you live? (Romans 14:9-12)

4. What is most important in the kingdom of God? (Romans 14:13-18)

5. How are you building up other people in their faith? (Romans 14:19-23)

6. Who can you share this Scripture with during the upcoming week?

PRAYER

Father God, You are omnipresent and omniscient. You are light, love, and a consuming fire. Thank You that we are the body of Christ. Forgive us for being spiritually sleepy. We are often distracted and overfocus on petty topics. We pray that we will be faithful ambassadors. We want to represent You well. Change us from the inside out, we pray. Holy Spirit, we ask that You teach us how to build each other up and strengthen each other daily. We want to encourage, love, and serve one another. We pray this for Your glory Lord Jesus, amen.