How Do Our Lives Affect Others?

Reading Romans 14, I couldn’t help but think of this statement, penned so long ago by the great English poet John Donne: “No man is an island, entire of itself.”

It’s true. Everything we do or say affects others—for good or for bad.

Romans 14 is all about Christians and their preferences, differing viewpoints, and judging others (on subjects like eating, celebrating holidays, etc.).

The key verses are these:

7-8, For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 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.

10, But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

12-13, So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

And then, the conclusion:

19, Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Amen!