Monthly Archives: July 2026

Man in orange jacket clearing rubble as a woman holds her child in ruins
Bible, Family, Humility, Living, Romans, Sacrifice, Scripture, Service

NOT FOR OURSELVES

ROMANS 14:7

“For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;”

I never knew what it meant to live for someone else until I got married and had children. Now, as a man who pursues the Lord’s will, I know my life comes second to my wife, children and grandchildren. My role as provider and protector is paramount. It is no longer about what I want. It’s about what is best for them. Even that has changed as my children have grown and have children of their own. My wife and I are empty nesters, but my priority is still my family.

Paul brings out a major teaching for these Roman believers and for us. As followers of Christ, our life is not our own. Albert Barnes says, “The meaning of the expression is, that no Christian lives to gratify his own inclinations or appetites. He makes it his great aim to do the will of God; to subordinate all his desires to his Law and gospel;” That is exactly right. Because Jesus gave His all for us, we are expected to do the same for others.

APPLICATION

I am currently taking a man in Belize through our Every Man A Warrior curriculum. We are in book 2 which is about Marriage and Children. I made the remark this week that I believe applies to our verse today. I said, “Isn’t it interesting that almost every husband would give his physical life to protect his wife but won’t die to himself for her?” Isn’t that right? We say that we would die for Christ, but we won’t lay down our own rights for Him.

Perhaps no other passage in Scripture says it better than 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. “4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. 5 It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, 6 it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with.”

Are you loving that way? Are you living that way? Read those verses again. After each “love is” ask yourself if that describes your life and your love for others. We are to live for others, not ourselves. We should not hold our lives so tightly that we are not free to let it go. Jesus can give you the strength you need to die to yourself. Not I, but Christ!

I praise You, O Lord, for giving me the strength and humility to die to myself daily. 

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Elderly woman sitting in church pew with hands clasped in prayer
Bible, Gratitude, Love, Praise, Romans, Scripture, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Worship

GIVE THANKS TO GOD

ROMANS 14:6

“The one who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and the one who eats, does so with regard to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and the one who does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat, and he gives thanks to God.”

Are you a thankful person? Or do you gripe and complain about everything? Usually, people are one or the other. I think I am a pretty grateful person. Often when I stop to think of what God has blessed me with, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I have to admit, though, I can gripe sometimes. It’s the age old complaint – why do the wicked prosper? But I have to trust the Lord to provide according to what He has planned for me and be grateful for what I have. Right?

Paul brings up the topic of giving thanks to God in today’s verse in the midst of this discussion about not judging other believers. Forget about the importance or unimportance of certain days. These are the examples Paul is using to teach a bigger truth. Today that is to be grateful to God. I am reminded of Colossians 3:17 which reads, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “gives thanks” is euxaristéō, and it means just that – to be grateful. 25 of the 38 times it is used in the New Testament are at the hand of Paul in his letters. The Topical Lexicon says, “the verb frames gratitude as an intentional God-directed act.” Both times in today’s verse the verb is in the Present Indicative Active. In other words, it is something we should be continually doing.

In 1 Corinthians 1:4, Paul writes, “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,” Shouldn’t that be our response in regard to other believers? Instead of nick picking about unimportant issues, we should be giving thanks they know Jesus. Instead of arguing and judging others in the church, we should be building them up and encouraging them.

We have all been guilty of being ungrateful. Can I get a witness? But we must be more grateful for our fellow believers. As the days get harder and harder for Christians, we are going to need each other more than ever. We can’t let denominational differences or styles of worship separate us. Let us give thanks to God for all He has done in and through us. We are one body – the Body of Christ.

I am grateful, Lord, for all You have done for me and others.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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