Day 27: Classic "Love Killers" # 1&2

Today's Reading: Romans 14:1-10

What might make you uncomfortable:

Comparison and judgment are sins because they rob us of our ability to love.

Today's Devotional:

Yesterday we learned that it is Christ's command that we love God and love others. As we endeavor to obey God in this way, over the next few days we will explore some classic "Love Killers" that rob us of our ability to love one another.

Love Killer #1: Judgment:
Paul begins a discourse today on disputable matters of doctrine. In general, these disputable matters could be described as "gray areas." There are some gray areas in the Christian life that different believers address differently due to their consciences, life experiences, and levels of faith.

Paul warns believers not to judge one another when exploring the gray areas of life, specifically referring to style of worship and diet. He reminds us that we will ALL stand before God's judgment seat (14:10).

Practically, judgment occurs when we assume the motive of another. Avoiding judgment does not mean avoiding conflict. Healthy Christians are caused to explore gray areas together in the context of relationship.

When we set into judgment, however, we cease to love. Where there is a lack of love, there is sin... because we no longer fulfill Christ's law.

Love Killer #2: Comparison:
Comparison is a relative of judgment.

Paul says, "If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord" (14:8).

When we live to please men, rather than God, it is easy to fall into comparison. It is hard to truly love others when we are focused on impressing them rather than getting God's heart for them. Comparison robs us of the love of God.

Application

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal issues of judgment and comparison in your life.