Romans 14:7
“For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.”
A Christian by the name of John Donne (1572-1631), is credited for the saying, “No man is an island.” He wrote it in a devotional message speaking of how our lives affect one another. Paul is writing about the same idea, because we are part of the body of Christ, our lives effect one another. The decision I make to follow the Lord will have an impact upon those around me, and their decision will impact me. In more recent times, a song was written with the chorus, “I don’t need anyone, I am really having fun being all alone, I am an island.” The song was a parody, where the artist was addressing the modern idea that our lives are our own, and our sins do not effect anyone else. Paul goes on to write,
Romans 14:8 “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.”
What a beautiful concept and wise way to live. When we come to the realization our lives do not really belong to us, but have been purchased by the Lord, we are free to live for His glory. There is no greater freedom in life than to live for the purpose for which we were designed. Instead of thinking of freedom as the ability to do whatever we want, we should realize, true freedom is found in living for Christ and others.
Pastor Jim
Questions for Romans 14
- Verse 1 talks about allowing ourselves to be dragged into silly “disputes over doubtful things.” Do you find yourself judging others about their convictions to things?
- Where do you stand according to verse 5?
- According to verse 8, who are we to live and die to?
- Verse 10 is very convicting because who are we to judge? Scripture is clear, “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” How are you doing regarding judging others?
- In verse 17, the kingdom of God is..?
- According to verse 23, if you do anything you believe is not right you are sinning. Have you or are you now going against your own conviction on a certain issue of life?
Old Testament:
Nehemiah 5- A Terrible Thing To Waste
Nehemiah 6- All Inventions Are Not Created Equal
Jim Gallagher 