“For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” -Romans 15:3–4 As we have seen previously, Christ […]
Make Art and Win Cash
Heads up if you are an artist! I am hosting a contest for the best drawing, painting, or illustration for my newsletter Rumbling Toward Heaven. The entry requirements are simple: read the short story, Revelation, and create an image of the vast horde on the swinging bridge worthy of the spirit of Flannery O’Connor’s story […]
Pleasing Others For Their Good
“Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”” -Romans 15:2–3 The role each of us play in the community of saints is that of edifier. Though we are […]
Oratio – Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
DEUS Qui nos in tantis periculis constitutos, pro humana scis fragilitate non posse subsistere: da nobis salutem mentis et corporis, ut ea quæ pro peccatis nostris patimur, Te adjuvante vincamus. Per Dominum nostrum. O GOD, Who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the […]
The Responsibility of the Stronger
“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” -Romans 15:1 Those who have advanced further in the gospel have no place to be proud or puffed up; rather, the grace of growth comes with responsibility. In the same way the master must take […]
Eating in Doubt
“The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” -Romans 14:22–23 By […]
It is Good
“Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.” -Romans 14:20–21 In true Pauline fashion, […]
Pursue Peace and Mutual Edification
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” -Romans 14:17–19 Whoever thus serves Christ […]
Not a Matter of Eating and Drinking
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” -Romans 14:17 What a profound observation Paul makes about the priorities of the Kingdom in light of his exhortations to both weak and strong believers in their approach to diets and […]
The Stronger Ought to be the Wiser
“So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.” -Romans 14:16 The exhortation here is simple. Paul admonishes the strong to not allow what is a blessing to be turned into its opposite i.e., spoken of as evil. It was Christ who has obtained this liberty for us and it […]