In review of Romans 14:17 it says, “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17 NLT)
Bottom Line:
The Kingdom of God is not just a matter of what we eat or drink. Rather is living a life of goodness, peace and joy that come from the Holy Spirit.
What this means to me:
The important thing for me as a Christian does not involve what I eat or drink but rather living a life of goodness, peace and joy. All of this comes from the Holy Spirit’s presence in life.
One of the easiest things to lose is your joy. All it takes is one phone call or email, a letter or a conversation. It’s the easiest thing in the world to lose. And a lot of people in a lot of circumstances are conspiring to rob it from you.
When God’s children aren't filled with joy, it doesn't reflect well on God. If I’m cranky I’ll be a bad witness and example for Him. In my life, God wants me to be witnesses with my countenance.
The Bible tells us that the Christian life can be summed up in three words: goodness, peace, and joy. Romans 14:17 says, “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (NLT).
It’s good to know that it’s easy to get my joy back.
The first step is to admit I’ve lost it. I simply look at my past and ask myself a couple of questions: Has there ever been a time in my life when I was closer to God than I am right now? Has there ever been a time in my life when I was more joyful in the Lord than I am right now?
What was different then about your spiritual walk and quiet time? What are the things that are robbing me of my joy? Do those things change anything about God? Should they change anything about how much you love him and trust him?
Now is the time to make the change. But I've got to start by admitting that I've lost what I've had in the past. You could ask God about it; he’s waiting to help you. David prayed this in Psalm 51:12: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (NIV).
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