Peace And Joy In The Holy Spirit

Meditations on Romans

September 24, 2021

Peace And Joy In The Holy Spirit

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:17

Read Romans 14:13-23

Paul’s concludes chapter fourteen emphasizing again the importance of really loving one another and pointing us to the truth that we are called to a willingness to sacrifice our own self-interest to help maintain unity within the church. Paul was able to present his teaching, not as another set of rules or laws to be obeyed, but by reminding the church of our higher purpose. I love how Eugene Peterson phrases verse seventeen (above) in The Message:

“God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy.”

Think of that last phrase in two ways. First, as we give ourselves to God, we experience peace and joy as we live in Christ. Secondly, Peterson also implies that it brings joy to God as he completes our life in Christ. I love that thought!

My Takeaway: When I think of our higher purpose in Christ, I am always drawn to this prayer of Adoration:

Adoration

 

O Lord, our Lord,

how excellent is Thy name in all the earth;

I worship Thee.

With all angels and saints I adore Thee.

I acknowledge Thee to be by Creator and my God.

I render Thee the homage of my being and my life.

I am not my own,

I am Thine.

By creation and redemption

I am Thine.

I will devote myself to Thy divine service

this day and forever.

O grant me grace for this, dear Lord.

Amen

 

Ralph Spaulding Cushman

A Pocket Prayer Book

The Upper Room, 1941

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.