Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 14
By nature, people are in a state of war against God, and often against each other too (3:9-18; 5:10). They oppose God by their evil thoughts, words and actions; they oppose other people whenever they themselves act for their own selfish benefit. In those ways, their lives become the opposite of how God commands people to live (Mark 12:28-31).
Christ died to bring people peace with God (John 14:27), in other words, a right relationship between God and people (Ephesians 2:13-18). When people accept Christ into their lives, they learn to love and not to hate each other (John 13:34). So the result of a right relationship with God should be a right relationship with other people, too. A wicked person may of course still hate a Christian, but the Christian will even show kindness to that enemy (12:20-21). So, even the hate of evil people cannot spoil a Christian’s peace with God (see Matthew 10:12-15).
By means of the gospel (the good news about Christ), Christians bring God’s message of peace to this world (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Their message is not a political message, although some Christians may work as politicians or as rulers. The Christian message is that, by the death of Christ, God has made it possible for people to receive a right relationship with him (5:6-11). So, they should turn from their evil deeds and invite God into their lives.
People who accept that message receive at once a right relationship with God (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17). However, it is often harder for them to have a right relationship with other people. They must learn to show love, and not to be bitter towards other people. They must learn to help and to encourage other people. They need God’s help to do these things; they must learn to depend on him.
Next part: Do not cause trouble for weaker Christians (Romans 14:20)
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