Daily Bread for Dec 1, Rom 14-15

Today’s readings are Rom 14-16.

Rom 14 shows us some of the doctrinal latitude we have with other believers. We are not to judge each other on non-essential points of doctrine. One wants to eat meat, the other to avoid it. Both are OK and should not allow this to divide them. This acceptance of each other should promote unity within the body, a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit. This harmony is not our ultimate goal. But it is the evidence of Christ in us. Being divisive over things like mode of baptism, church polity, type of music, roles in the church and a host of other issues that are not essential to salvation only dilutes our witness. If we can't get along with each other without becoming judgmental, how will we ever minister to the lost? Is our primary goal in ministry is to convert people to our way of thinking, our mode of worship, our style of preaching, our translation of the Bible, our interpretation of the end times, our understanding of the gifts? The list of distinctives, those elements of worship and doctrine that give each church its personality, goes on and on. If we allow any or all of them to become primary, it becomes far too easy to lose sight of the reason the church is here on earth—to proclaim the gospel. Our distinctives are important. But, they should never divide us.

Rom 15 builds on this theme, showing that a mature believer seeks to please others more than he pleases himself. This also means that a mature believer does not view himself as better or wiser than others. Christ, setting the example, welcomed and received Gentiles and Jews. We should be willing to do the same for each other rather than judging each other and elevating ourselves above those around us.

In closing, Paul mentions those who minister by his side, an impressive group of men and women who work diligently for the church and for the sake of the gospel (Rom 16:1-16).

The Book of Romans ends with one of the great doxologies of the Bible (Rom 15:25-27), a fitting summary to a theological masterpiece and a remarkable bookend to Rom 1:1-6.