The Tuesday after the Fourth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on July 15, 2025 by under
Scripture: Romans 14:7-17 (NKJV)
14:7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 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. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written:
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Devotion
The Apostle Paul delivers a powerful proclamation of the sanctified life of the Christian in our appointed meditation. He reminds us that we, and all Christians, live and die in Christ Jesus, who redeemed us from sin, death, hell, and the devil by grace. Verse 10 reminds us that we will be judged by the measure we judge others, and that all must stand before the Lord’s Judgment Throne.
In verse 15 of today’s text we once again have the Greek word “agape”, which denotes a form of love that describes God-focused intent that drives Christian concern and discipleship. It is hard to miss the emphasis on good works (fruits of the faith) that the Holy Spirit produces in the true believer and disciple of Christ. The text also resounds with the divine truth that it is not us that works, but Christ who works through us by His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. This creates a living faith that cannot help but produce fruit (good works) that benefit the neighbor and give glory to God in this temporal life. Once we understand this grace-filled working of God in us, it becomes possible to joyfully persevere in daily good works.
Collect: Grant, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by Thy governance, that Thy Church may joyfully serve Thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
