Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. I'm Kirsten Holmberg, and I titled our reading, What Counts?

My friend recounted how she'd pointedly been asked by a fellow believer and colleague which political party she belonged to.

His aim in asking the question seemed to be to predict whether he agreed with her on any number

of issues currently dividing their community. In an effort to find common ground between them,

she simply replied, since we're both believers, I'd rather focus on our unity in Christ.

People were also divided in Paul's Day, though over different issues.

Topics such as what foods were permissible to eat and what days were considered holy brought

disagreement among the Christians in Rome. Despite being fully convinced in their own mind on

whichever position they held, in Romans 14, Paul reminds them of their common ground,

living for Jesus. Instead of passing judgment on one another,

he encouraged them to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. In an era where many

countries, churches, and communities are divided over issues large and small, we can point one another to the unifying truth of Christ's work on the cross

to secure our life with him eternally.

Paul's reminder that we ought not destroy the work of God with our individual positions

is as timely today as it was 2,000 years ago.

Instead of passing judgment on one another, we can act in love and live in a way that honors

our brothers and sisters.

Today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading is from Romans chapter 14, verses 13 through 23.

Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any

stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself.

But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person, it is unclean.

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