Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 14:13-17.

 

“¹³  Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.

 

¹⁴  I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself;  but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

 

¹⁵  For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.

 

¹⁶  Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;

 

¹⁷  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 14:13-17.

 

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The kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  From verse 15, we can include love.  In summary, the kingdom of God is about the fruit of the Spirit.

 

We tend to chase after and cling to food, drink, money, and so many other temporal earthly things.  These things may be good, but if they hurt our brother or sister, and yet we still cling to them, then we are not walking in love.  We need to hang loosely to these temporal earthly things and set our mind on things above. 

 

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”  Colossians 3:1-4. 

 

And, behind this food, drink, money, and many other temporal earthly things, we need to beware of the lust for these things which causes us to cling to these things and do evil, and which lust for these things also causes us to neglect the spiritual things and doing good.     

 

“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:  immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  Galatians 5:19-21. 

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”  Galatians 5:22-24. 

 

And so, by God’s grace, we set our mind on things above.  We learn to treasure more the fruit of the Spirit.  We learn to walk by the Spirit.  We may enjoy food, drink, money, and many other temporal earthly things, but we hang on loosely to these things.  We look to our brother and sister, and we learn to better help them.  We pray:  “Father, please help me!  My mind is wandering!”  We pick up the Bible to read it.  We meditate on “righteousness and peace and joy” and the other fruit of the Holy Spirit.

 

In conclusion, today, I fly to Michigan for a high school reunion and leave my routine of writing these daily devotions for a few days.  There will be good food and drink and other temporal earthly things.  I can enjoy them, but will I cling to them?  Will I set my mind on things above?  God has given me this daily devotion.  God will also give me other grace for each day to help me hang loosely to these temporal earthly things and to help me to set my mind on things above, “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”.