DAILY DEVOTION, November 29, 2021

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17}.

Paul makes a strange contrast. Of course, the Kingdom of God does not focus on what we eat and drink. Perhaps he means that some Christians give too much attention to food. Having struggled with my weight for years, maybe Paul is speaking to me!

Paul mentions three items that are central to the Kingdom of God. Righteousness, living a life in harmony with the will of God. Living a life characterized by morality. If we live a righteous life two things will follow—first, peace. There is no peace to be found in this life until we are living a righteous life. Disobedience to God never results in peace. What a blessing it is to feel at peace in your heart. Then comes joy. Internal joy comes to those who live a righteous life.

Finally, we are reminded that we cannot live as joyful citizens in the Kingdom of God without the help of the Holy Spirit. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we trust in Jesus. As we live life trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide our way, we experience righteousness, joy, and peace. As Christians, we not only trust in Jesus to save us but we also trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us. If you are experiencing righteousness, joy, and peace, you have the assurance that the Holy Spirit is guiding you. If these attributes are absent in your life . . . what do you think that means?

Father, I thank You for the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me to seek His guidance daily. I want to see the fruit of the Spirit in abundance in my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.