The Kingdom Life

NIKOLE SPARKS, Graphics Director

• BIBLE VERSE

  Romans 14:17-19 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

• INTERPRETATION

  Paul is writing in this sections of Romans specifically about abstaining from certain things that we are not forbidden from any longer so that another brother might not be stumbled by our actions, because he may believe it is wrong. Paul is specifically using the example of eating laws, and food being unclean. He pretty much states in these verses that the Kingdom of God is much bigger than the simplicity of eating laws and sacrificing little things for another brother. Paul is pointing out that the Kingdom of God is about Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit, and urges us to pursue these things.

• BREAKTHROUGH

  Don’t worry about the sacrificing of little things for one another, be excited, because this represents the entire heart of the Kingdom!

• LIFE APPLICATION

  Again I see Paul pointing through an outward issue right into the heart of the matter, and my heart in things. Paul is stating that my little sacrifice for the Kingdom and my brother isn’t really about food, or whatever the compromise I’m making seems to be about on the surface, but it is a matter of living righteously and peacefully and joyfully in the Holy Spirit. Paul is trying to tell me that these little things, have huge implications into my heart for God and His Kingdom. God desires that we will live at peace with one another and pursue righteousness with one another and find tremendous joy in that through the Holy Spirit. If I’m not willing to give unnecessary things up for the building up of my brother, there is something bigger going on in my heart. I need to focus on my heart in all the different opportunities that I have to be a window into the Kingdom by being willing to lay down my rights for the bettering of someone else. Once again, everything comes back to my heart, and if I’m willing to let it be a window into what’s coming.

• ENTREATY

  Lord Jesus, thank you for laying your rights as King and creator, all powerful God, to pave the way for me to have a relationship with you. I pray that you will continue to work in my heart so that I might follow you in giving myself up for the good of others. Your love for me is overwhelming, and I am humbled and convicted at my lack of willingness to sacrifice my way for the good of others. Stretch me and give me your grace Lord. Fill me with your love and your life. Thank You for loving me. I love you. Amen.