Listen to the audio devotional above, and/or read the written devotional below.
FAITH
For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. Romans 14:23
While much of the consideration for this chapter deals with practical matters of the day, as eating, drinking, and the special observance of days and appointed times, this portion of Romans 14 helps us in two ways: first, to deal with those practical issues at hand, especially in the case of eating and drinking, as the first part of the verse says, “But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith”; and second, there is a broader principle which we will deal with more specifically. Paul wrote this letter to the Christians at Rome from Corinth, where they had been dealing with issues concerning meat offered to idols, then sold at a discount in the market. It caused a division between the frugal, wallet-conscious Christians and the detailed, worship-conscious Christians. The apostle seems to be dealing with the same issue here. By dealing with the most basic of human necessities, eating and drinking, it amplifies our verse in the broader, most general application. Everything we do must be by faith, else it is sin. Our corrupt flesh would like us to see faith as merely believing something strong enough. Hyper-charismatics fall prey to this view of faith. All our actions, whether eating, drinking, or whatever we do, must spring forth from faith unto God’s glory (1 Cor 10:31). This faith stands upon the atoning grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, else God cannot be glorified; yea, will not be glorified. To do something, just to do it, or to do something because the Bible says to do it, or to do something because we’ll get something from doing it, or by doing it, is not the saving, sanctifying, or God-glorifying faith of Scripture. It must be Christ-exalting faith. God is glorified through Christ alone (Phil 2:8-11); and in redeemed men, His glory, cannot come, will not come, from mere faith, nor false faith, neither prosperity-doctrine-name-it-and-claim-it faith, but in faith that trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ’s incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and promised return, else it brings no glory to God, for it is sin. In the struggle that exists in our lives between flesh and spirit, between law and grace (Rom 7), it happens all the time. But if “ we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn 1:9). Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
8/24 Reading Portions: 1 Samuel 16; Romans 14; Lamentations 1; Psalm 32
