DCLM Daily Manna 15 November 2023 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Avoid Prejudice
TOPIC: Avoid Prejudice (DCLM Daily Manna 15 November 2023)
KEY VERSE: “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:4).
TEXT: Romans 14:1-9 (KJV)
1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
MESSAGE:
Any human association, of necessity, is characterised by differences of ideas, interests and understanding. The church is not an exception. It is an assemblage of people of different economic, social, geographical, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and have come together for the purpose of fellowship with God and one another.
Apostle Paul warned the Roman Christians against prejudice toward one another. He categorised the members into two classes: those strong in faith to eat everything, and those weak in faith and are selective about what they eat. The first class eats everything, knowing that the coming of Christ has cancelled strict prohibitive eating and strict observance of Jewish festivals. The other class eats according to Mosaic laws and observes festivals. He stressed that whatever each group does, it must be done unto the Lord, their Master, who will judge according to their motives and hearts.
In the present era, it is not the eating or observance of festivals that is distracting the church. It is internal disputes hinged on doctrinal differences across denominations and even amongst members of the same church. In fact, it has often led to division and fragmentation of churches. This should not be the case. Every assembly belongs to Christ and to Him will they render account.
How you accommodate individual differences will determine whether you are actually a true Christian. Let us avoid any form of prejudice and discrimination against fellow Christians, whether in our congregation or of other denominations. Our focus should be to evangelise sinners, restore the backsliders and strengthen the believers.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Resist prejudice; concentrate on evangelism.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Ezekiel 14-17
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
