Monday, January 26, 2026
Scripture Readings
- Primary Reading: Romans 14-15
Key Verse
Romans 15:6 — “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Devotional Thought
Paul’s closing instructions to the Roman believers ask us to examine how we treat those whose convictions differ from our own. In Romans 14, the church is a mix of Jewish and Gentile Christians, likely meeting in small house gatherings across the city. Some believers, newly freed from the law, felt free to eat anything; others, still tender in conscience, ate only herbs. Some honored special days; others regarded every day alike. Paul does not demand uniformity. Instead, he calls for mutual welcome: “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” The stronger believer is not to despise the weaker, and the weaker is not to judge the stronger, for God has received them both.
The apostle grounds this in the lordship of Christ. Whether we eat or abstain, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess to God; each of us will give an account of himself. That reality should make us slow to condemn another man’s servant. Paul then turns the focus from rights to love: “If thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably.” The kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The strong are to bear the infirmities of the weak and please their neighbors for edification, following the example of Christ, who pleased not Himself.
In January, when many are making resolutions about food, drink, and daily habits, this passage is remarkably practical. Our liberties are real, but they are not ultimate. The question is not merely whether I am allowed to do something, but whether my doing it builds up or wounds my brother. A meal, a drink, a holiday, a preference—these are small things compared to the work of God in a soul. Paul says, “Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.” That is a sobering measure of love.
Romans 15 lifts our eyes to the hope of the Scriptures. Paul quotes Moses, the Psalms, and Isaiah to show that God’s mercy extends to Gentiles, that Jew and Gentile together might “with one mind and one mouth glorify God.” He asks the Romans to strive together with him in prayer for his journey to Jerusalem and his planned visit to Spain. The same God of patience and consolation is still at work, filling His people with joy and peace in believing, that they may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Reflection
- Is there a conviction or liberty in my life that I am using to judge or despise another believer, rather than to serve them in love?
- What small sacrifice of preference could I make this week to bear the infirmities of someone weaker in faith and to promote peace in the church?
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, You are Lord both of the dead and the living, and every knee will bow to You. Teach us to receive one another as You have received us, not to doubtful disputations but to the glory of God. Where we have judged or despised a brother, forgive us. Where we have used our liberty to wound a weaker conscience, convict us and make us like Christ, who pleased not Himself. Fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. Grant us patience and consolation, that with one mind and one mouth we may glorify the Father. Amen.