from Gary Hamrick
... Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel
for
Unity Through Grace
... Christ is honored when His people hold firmly to biblical truth while showing grace in matters of personal conviction.
Romans 14:19 NKJV (devotion translation)
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
Devotion:
Today’s Scripture reminds us that unity in the body of Christ is strengthened when believers choose love over personal preference.
Romans 14 addresses an issue that has challenged God’s people throughout history. Christians often come from different backgrounds, experiences, and convictions. In the church at Rome, Jewish and Gentile believers disagreed over matters such as food and the observance of certain days. These were not questions of the gospel itself, but matters of personal conscience. Paul did not call them to abandon biblical truth. Instead, he urged them to stop judging one another over issues where Scripture had not given a direct command.
This passage teaches us that spiritual maturity is not measured by winning arguments or proving ourselves right. It is seen in our willingness to love fellow believers, respect sincere convictions, and avoid using our freedom in ways that cause another Christian to stumble. God has received those who belong to Christ, and we should be careful not to reject those whom He has accepted.
The Lord often places people with different personalities, gifts, and perspectives together so that His church will be strengthened. What may seem like an inconvenience can become a blessing when humility replaces pride. Instead of allowing differences to create division, we are called to pursue peace and seek the spiritual good of one another.
Christ Himself is our perfect example. He did not seek His own comfort but gave Himself in love for those He came to save. As we fix our eyes on Him, we learn to value unity without compromising truth and to extend grace where Scripture allows freedom.
May your heart today be more concerned with building up God’s people than with defending your own preferences.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for receiving me through the grace of Jesus Christ. Help me to walk in humility, to honor the convictions of others where Your Word gives freedom, and to pursue peace that strengthens Your church. Amen.
Digging Deeper:
- Ephesians 4:1-3 ↗ - Humility - the foundation for unity
- Ephesians 4:4-6 ↗ - Believers share one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.
- Romans 14:1-4 ↗ - Receive fellow believers without quarreling over disputable matters.
- Romans 15:1-7 ↗ - Strong believers should bear with one another, following Christ’s example to glorify God in unity.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 ↗ - Use Christian liberty with love, avoiding anything that causes another believer to stumble.
- Philippians 2:3-4 ↗ - Put aside selfish ambition and consider the interests of others above your own.
- Colossians 3:12-15 ↗ - Put on compassion, humility, forgiveness, and love, letting the peace of Christ rule your hearts.
- John 17:20-23 ↗ - Jesus prayed that His followers would be one as a testimony to the world.
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 ↗ - The church is one body with many members, each essential to the whole.
- Psalms 133:1 ↗ - God’s people are blessed when they dwell together in unity.