THE KINGDOM IN FOCUS

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ROMANS 14:10-22.
🔑KEY VERSE "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (ROMANS 14:17).

Have you got faith? "...Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows" (Romans 14:22).

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Never, never be afraid to do what is right especially if the wellbeing of a person or animal is at stake; society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our souls when we look the other way". The Christian church is uncompromising in its stand against all kind of conduct opposed to scriptural standards.

Our text deals with issues that bother on the believer's understanding of true Christlikeness, holiness, fruitfulness, doctrine and morals. This involves a sincere rebuking, correcting and evaluation of one another where necessary, in love and humility and the exercise of church discipline on erring members and leaders.

Believers should refrain from judging one another. Christ our Lord is the One who has the right to judge. We must avoid anything that constitutes a stumbling block to fellow believers especially the weak ones. As believers, whether we are strong or weak, we must realise that true liberty does not lie in the exercise of that liberty if it will disrupt the peace of the body of Christ, knowing that the highest good is only attained in its use to edify the church.

✍THOUGHT FOR DAY Use not your liberty as a cloak of maliciousness.

COVER TO COVER: ROMANS 11-13.

PONDER How saints should relate to each other on nonessentials or things the Bible is silent about

*1. The judgement of believers vs the judgement of sinners
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a. Saints will stand before the judgement/rewarding seat of Christ v10, I Corinthians 3:12-15; while sinners will stand before the white throne judgement Revelation 20:11.
b. Only saints in Christ will be present before the rewarding seat of Christ v10, I Corinthians 3:12-15;while the white throne judgment is for all unrepentant sinners that ever lived Revelation 20:11-15.
c. No anger of God at the Rewarding seat of Christ because no saint present has any sin in his/her account vv10,12, I Corinthians 3:12-15. The Judge at the white throne Judgement is a very angry God with no provision for mercy Revelation 20:11-15.
d. No mention of any book where past evils are recorded at the rewarding seat of Christ, while many books where sins of the sinners are written were mentioned at the Judgement of sinners Revelation 20:11-15.
e. The issue of hell is not involved in the Judgement or reward seat of Christ while all sinners will be thrown to hell after judgement of sinners Revelation 20:11-15.

*2. Right attitude towards each other as saints
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a. Don't condemn, despise or humiliate a fellow believer on issues the Bible is silent about vv10-12. Avoid critical spirit and unkind criticism.
b. Don't impose things you cherish but which the Bible is silent about on fellow believers vv10-12.
c. Avoid whatever will annoy/offend/or make to stumble a fellow believer or the Church no matter how innocent you may perceive the action/words vv13-21.
d. Avoid any action, no matter how innocent, that saints or ministers may condemn or speak evil of v16.
e. Avoid actions that will stir up unnecessary controversies and strive among brethren v19. Avoid questionable behaviours or relationships.
f. Totally avoid any action you are not sure of its acceptability to God. If you are in doubt and you still go ahead and do it, it is sin vv22-23. It shows you don't care what God will say or how He will react.
g. Your conduct should not only be judged by whether it is right or wrong but also by the effect it has on other saints or how other saints interprete vv19-21. For example Peter knew that there was nothing wrong eating with the gentiles, but he immediately withdrew when those who will misinterpreted his action arrived Galatians 2:11-12.

HYMN: Love Lifted Me https://g.co/kgs/XphXoY

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1. I was sinking deep in sin,
   Far from the peaceful shore,
   Very deeply stained within,
   Sinking to rise no more;
   But the Master of the sea
   Heard my despairing cry,
   From the waters lifted me,
   Now safe am I.
   Love lifted me!
   Love lifted me!
   When nothing else could help,
   Chorus
   Love lifted me.
   Love lifted me!
   Love lifted me!
   When nothing else could help,
   Love lifted me.
   2
   All my heart to Him I give,
   Ever to Him I’ll cling,
   In His blessed presence live,
   Ever His praises sing.
   Love so mighty and so true
   Merits my soul’s best songs;
   Faithful, loving service, too,
   To Him belongs.
   3
   Souls in danger, look above,
   Jesus completely saves;
   He will lift you by His love
   Out of the angry waves.
   He’s the Master of the sea,
   Billows His will obey;
   He your Savior wants to be—
   Be saved today.

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PRAYER POINTS:

1. Lord, multiply your grace in me so that I will be considerate of fellow believers.
2. Let love of God melt all critical spirit and unkind attitude towards my fellow believers.
3. Give me grace to be counted worthy of those who will escape the white throne judgement but participate in the reward session of Christ for the believers.
4. Let compassionate, caring and Christlike love reign in the hearts of every believer in the Church.