Daily Devotions
Romans
"Let us pursue the things which make for peace..."
Text: Romans 14:19
THE THINGS THAT OUGHT TO BE PURSUED
There were some who were pursuing things that created controversy and threatened the harmony of the Church. Paul urged these to cease and desist. He offered a distinct alternative.
“Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace
and the things by which one may edify another.”
Romans 14:19
1. Some imagine that they serve Christ
a) Even when they create controversies.
b) Even when they legalistically argue about “eating and drinking”.
2. The service that God accepts
Two main guidelines are offered:-
a) The things that make for peace,
i) Would a particular line of thought bring peace?
ii) Would a particular pursuit promote peace?
b) The things that bring about edification.
i) Would the particular pursuit cause people to be edified?
ii) Would the words uttered promote edification?
iii) Would the deeds bring about vital edification?
EDIFICATION IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
Paul wrote about the challenge of edification in the following text.
“But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up
in all things into Him who is the Head- Christ-
from whom the whole body, joined and knit together
by what every joint supplies according to the effective working
by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body
for the edifying of itself in love.”
Ephesians 4:15-16
Edification is an important teaching that must not be ignored! Good edification brings about growth to the Body of Christ. Every member ought to be deeply committed to the challenge of edifying each other in the Church- the Body of Christ!