Weekly Devotional - November 23rd

So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.  Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.  It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to

do anything by which your brother stumbles.  The faith which you have, have as your own

conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.  But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

Romans 14:19-23

One fundamental principle of biblical interpretation is that imperatives (commands) are always built upon an indicative or truth statement. This is precisely what Paul does here: he establishes a truth statement in verses 17-18, declaring, “The kingdom of God is not centered on minor principles dictating what you must do to be justified, but on major principles such as the fact that you are justified by what has already been accomplished for you.” In verses 19-23, Paul then provides an imperative. He urges us to maintain our faith as a conviction before God while respecting the minor principles that others may hold dear, ensuring that we do not cause anyone to stumble. This reflects the beauty of the diverse denominations within the Protestant church. In the world, we acknowledge that we are all different in numerous ways—such as culture, language, economy, ideology, and government—yet we remain united as part of the human creation. The way of Christ embodies this as well. Despite the minor differences shaped by various circumstances, we should all be united by the major principle that the author and creator of all things sent His only begotten Son into the world to reconcile us with Him, as we have no hope of achieving this on our own.