True Religion
Romans 14:17-18
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.


I. NEGATIVELY. Does not consist —

1. In anything of a mere external kind.

2. In orthodox opinions or right modes of worship.

3. In a system of observance that is either constrained by fear or is employed as a sort of compromise to ward off the Divine displeasure, or made a ground of claim in the way of merit to the Divine favour.

4. In mere temporary feeling, be those feelings of what kind they may.

II. POSITIVELY. It does consist in —

1. Righteousness.

(1)  Justifying.

(2)  Internal.

(3)  Practical.

2. Peace.

(1)  As opposed to hostility.

(2)  As opposed to condemnation.

(3)  Internal tranquillity.

3. Joy.

(1)  Of faith.

(2)  Of love. As implying —

(a)  Gratitude.

(b)  Complacency.

(3)  Of hope.

(Josiah Hill.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

WEB: for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.




The Spirituality of the Kingdom of God
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