Daily Devotion

Tuesday, February 17, 2026  

Today's Scripture
Romans 14:1–23

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God. We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then, each of us will be accountable to God. Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. If your brother or sister is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat; it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble. The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve. But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (NRSV)

Everyone has an opinion, and we all think we are correct. I have watched the church that I grew up in struggle with this. People fighting with each other over unimportant issues and telling one another they are not Christian enough. Meanwhile, the true work of the church, helping those in need, suffers.

We are a group of individuals from different walks of life, with different journeys. It is understandable that we have different perspectives and opinions. The challenge for us as Christians is that God’s love is inclusive and welcoming. It is not our responsibility to judge or change these people, but to accept them for who they are and what we can do together.

This passage challenges me to consider how often I confuse my own convictions with God’s commands. How easy it is to assume that my way of living out my faith is the faithful way. Are there times when my insistence that I am “right” and the more important things are overlooked?

Think what could happen if we as people of faith put aside our differences, stopped trying to change one another, and instead focused our efforts and changing the world. How much different the world would be if instead of focusing on an individual’s weakness, celebrating the strength we have when we are united together as the body of Christ.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for accepting me for who I am. So often, I focus on unimportant issues, and I allow petty differences to tear friendships apart. Remind me that we are all your children and that together we are called to work through our strengths and weaknesses to bring your kingdom here on earth.  

Written by Katie Patterson, Ministry Team Director

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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