Setting the Bar High

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 62
NT: Romans 14
W&W: Psalm 87

Today’s Reflection:

Romans 14 is a wonderfully challenging chapter in the Bible. Every Christian should read it regularly and it would be a help to anyone wishing to be a better person. In light of yesterday’s teaching from Romans 13 on our debt of love, it is particularly appropriate that Romans 14 deals very specifically with how we can make payments on that debt.

If you have ever – like me – been tempted to insist on your rights, hear again the Word of God from Romans 14:

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters (v. 1). For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord (vv 7-8). Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way (v. 13). Do not allow what you consider good to 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 approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification (vv 16-19).

High standards for us all. Don’t be negative, critical, judgmental, or selfish. Instead be positive, supportive, merciful, and gracious. Don’t look for what’s wrong; look for what’s right! Instead of trying to humble your brother or sister in a mistake, look for what is right and help him or her overcome his stumblings. Pick him/her up! Don’t add your criticism to his/her failure and thus drive them lower.

Let us perfect love and holiness in fear of the Lord!

The Church of the Nazarene elected another GS last night: David Graves. But, uh oh, John Bowling rescinded his acceptance as GS this morning. So they’re back to voting in Orlando. Pray!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Dare we try a whole chapter? If you have been working on this by the week, you will be able to do it! John 1.1-10: 1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4We write this to make our joy complete. 5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.