Good morning. We are back in Romans. In context Paul is talking about certain things, but we are going to apply some of these verses to everybody's life. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. We are so "us" minded. Too often we don't think about the Lord when we make our decisions. Sometimes what we do affects our testimony about the Lord. Our end goal should not be us, but Him. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. He was not thinking of Himself when He lived His life and when He died His death; and neither should we. Why do you judge your brother and regard him with contempt? Again in context this is talking about a specific issue; but it applies to us today. We are not the judge of our brothers – God is. Each of us shall give an account of himself to God. Instead of judging, determine this – not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. Even though it may be all right for us to do something, we need to make sure it does not make our brother stumble. Paul said "I'll never eat meat again, if it causes my brother to stumble". Do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. This reminds us of Matthew where it says seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. The word translated "and" can also sometimes be translated even or namely. So I believe that Matthew should be translated seek first His kingdom, even His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. His kingdom is His righteousness. Back to Romans: so then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. We should not be tearing down one another like you see so much of in the body of Christ. He died for them too; just like He did for us. Father continue to bless the reader; continue to heal him/her. Help him/her to seek Your kingdom, even Your righteousness every day.

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