“The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God.” (Romans 14:22)
At some point, all of us must own our faith. Your loyalty to God cannot be built upon the reading and interpretation of others; it must be forged by your own personal study, investigation, and commitment to God. No number of sermons, network of Christians, or shared public prayers can replace your own personal labor, private prayer, and inquisitive mind.
Our collective service is a wonderful thing and a gift from God. It is an honor to serve alongside others, lock arms, and raise our blades in unison with others who love the Lord… but you must also bow to Him alone. Your faith must become your own conviction. There is no such thing as faith by proxy.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
Today’s Reading: Romans 14:13-23
Questions to ask:
- How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
- What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
- How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
- What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
- How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?
This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision