“From Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. […] I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.”—Romans 15:19, 29 NKJV

Paul was concerned that believers in Rome might not have received all the spiritual resources they needed. He assured them that he had “fully preached” the Gospel message everywhere he had traveled. He also told them he was coming with “the fullness” of blessings. Clearly Paul was indicating that it was possible to preach part of the message. What, then, is a “fully preached” Gospel? What makes it complete? Paul used related Greek words that suggest a message that is finished. It’s carried out to the maximum, like a completely full container. The message here is that there was something more, something unique that distinguished this full Gospel. This Gospel is vast and far reaching. It impacts everything about life, and it is without limits. This full Gospel is not concerned about making us more popular or helping us impress people, but making us sanctified by the Holy Spirit. It gives us a life that has been transformed and is pure, consecrated, and dedicated to God. It’s a life focused on God and designed to make us sensitive to His Spirit—a life filled with faith. Don’t be satisfied with a partial Gospel in your life. Don’t stop at thoughts that are imitations and superficial messages. Don’t settle for second-hand beliefs or just part of His blessings. May your heart hunger for the “fully preached Gospel” for all that God has prepared for you. Don’t be satisfied with anything less.

Reflection Question: How can you be sensitive to all the Holy Spirit wants to teach you?

“Let’s not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way.”—Romans 14:13 NASB

It can be easy to become a stumbling block for others, even if we have good intentions and feel we are doing the right thing. We might do or say things that make others feel discouraged or inspire doubt or frustration. We might even cause others to lose faith or to become weaker in their walk with the Lord. In particular, Paul stressed how we become stumbling blocks through our words. He asked, “Why do you criticize your brother’s actions?” If other believers commit obvious sins, we may feel responsible to help them. But first, we need to search our own lives and be sure that God is leading us to do so (Matthew 18:15–18). Jesus taught these principles in the Sermon on the Mount. He said we should not “look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye” but pay closer attention to “the log that is in your own eye.” Instead of rushing to judge others, we first need to purify our own lives by confessing our own sins. Only then will we be able to gently point out the sins in others’ lives (Matthew 7:2–5). Today, seek to live in such a way that you are not an obstacle to others. Remember that God is the judge. You will have to answer to Him and so will everyone else. Make sure that you are living for Him.

Reflection Question: Do some soul-searching for how you might be a stumbling block.