What are You Focusing On?

Daily Devotional – Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Therefore, let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
Romans 14:19 (NKJV)

Have you noticed how we have differing tastes and preferences despite all of us being Christ’s followers? Interestingly, we can choose to focus on the issues that divide us or concentrate on what brings us closer. That is the gist of today’s key text.

Pursue Peace

The Apostle Paul is aware of the challenges facing the believers in Rome. Jewish Christians expect their gentile counterparts to adopt Jewish customs in addition to following Jesus. Diet is one of the contentious issues, and Paul wants the believers not to allow food to be a dividing factor among them.

The apostle wants the believers to consider how their decisions on food matters can influence others to follow Jesus. He states, “Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.” (Romans 14:15).

Instead, he urges them to “pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” In essence, they should focus on what matters most, and that is the salvation of human beings and the unity of believers.

What are You Focusing On?

Imagine a church that adheres to Paul’s counsel. There would be less pride and more humility. Where there are constant quarrels and little evangelism, members would compete to bring souls to Christ. New and old Christians would grow in faith.

Are you pursuing peace and the things that edify other believers? Are you focusing on the doctrinal and ritualistic matters that divide believers or the virtues and graces that unite them?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, teach me to focus on peace and edifying believers and not on the little differences amongst us.