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
Hasmik Mamikonyan is a self-taught Armenian artist whose works often employ stark contrasts. Whether it is the dark boards of a wharf on still white waters in a black-and-white photograph or her oil painting of a pair of bright red pomegranate on a green textured cloth, she has used contrast to focus the viewer’s eyes directly where she wants them. Many artists of renown have used the same technique.
In today’s verse, the Apostle Paul is drawing a stark contrast between legalism and freedom in the life of the Christian. Some first-century believers were coming from Judaism, and others had been living a pagan lifestyle. They had different ideas on work, diet, health, and worship and even argued about what haircuts were appropriate. The Old Testament contains 613 laws, some of them dealing with forbidden foods, such as pork and shellfish. Meanwhile, those coming out of paganism could be found eating nearly anything, including foods that had been offered to idols. Because of legalistic conditioning, tension existed in the Early Church.
Here, as elsewhere in the apostle’s writings, the contrast directs the minds of the believers to what is essential in the kingdom of God, and that is the freedom found in Christ. “For freedom Christ has set us free,” he writes in Galatians 5:1. He also reminds you in Colossians 2:14, that your debt under the old law has been nailed to the cross. Theologian John MacArthur says, “The kingdom is all about having tranquil relationships with God and our fellow man.” How much better is it to enjoy righteousness, peace, and joy that comes from that tranquil harmony rather than worrying about what is or isn’t lawful for you? In your liberty, MacArthur says, choose “righteous living—holy, obedient, God-honoring lives conformed to God’s will. That’s what the watching world is looking for!” Submit to the Holy Spirit’s work in your life, bringing forth His fruit. Pray for members of Congress who follow Christ to live a life of contrast in the Holy Spirit, so that others may be drawn to the Savior.
Today’s Verse: Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Colossians 2:16-23
16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
