Romans 14:6 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
This passage of scripture refers primarily to the issue of clean and unclean meats, a problem that existed in the days of the early church, and one which had threatened the unity and brotherhood of new believers. There were some who had focused their attention squarely on the issue as a point having salvific value, and so the apostle Paul was moved to address it head on, and in doing so, he presented the overarching principle which was to govern all believers. What ever might be the issue of disagreement or contention, whether it be meat, dress, or music, the focus of our attention should never be removed from off of Christ, for when this takes place, the very essence of salvation, which consists of righteousness, peace, and joy, goes out the window, and with those three elements missing, the way is cleared for all kinds of disunity and sectarianism to spring forth abundantly.
Thus it behooves us to understand what the joy in the Holy Ghost is all about, and how it can be accessed and experienced on a continual basis. Heaven is a place where God and the inhabitants are absorbed in service to others, and here on earth the followers of Christ are required to take up the same mantle, by seeking the eternal and temporal good of all whom we come in contact with.
There is a joy and satisfaction that comes to us whenever we see souls being baptized into God's kingdom, a joy that nothing should ever take away. When speaking to the faithful steward in the parable, Christ said "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord". Here Jesus was not merely referring to some emotional high that will fade away with time, He was referencing the lasting joy that comes as a result of earnest labors put forth for the salvation of souls, which it is our privilege to partake of and enjoy, even whilst here on this earth.
There are many distractions which turn our minds away from service in subtle and unassuming ways, and these we must be wary of, lest they take our gaze and energies off of Christ, and that which really matters. Instead of dwelling on "Hot potatoes", the many issues and points of contention within the body of believers, we should instead be fully engaged in ministry of some kind, because the mind that is absorbed in service for others, has no time to waste on petty differences and grievances that have no weight in the greater scheme of things.
As the seventy disciples were sent out by Christ on their mission to do evangelistic work, they came back with great rejoicing, for they saw and experienced firsthand, the deliverance of captives as only the power of God could accomplish. Thus, as they spoke of their first mission in the salvation of others, it was with belated joy and gladness that they related their first experiences, and this then gave them a taste of greater things to come, when thousands of people would be baptized in a single day. Let's read:
Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
In our day and in our own experiences, it is our sacred duty and privilege to enter into the joy of The Lord, for there are many souls within our reach who are hungering and thirsting for the bread of life. In many instances we are the Jesus they may ever see, and thus we should be willing to rise to the occasion, and through the power and grace of God, seek to save as many as would be saved. When this is done on a continual basis, we will never be consumed with other petty issues, such as food and drink, but will rather be focused on the mission Christ left us. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which enjoins us to partake freely of the joy in The Holy Ghost, and the blessing of service will be of tremendous benefit to others as well as to ourselves. Let's read:
John 4:28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? 30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. 31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. 32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!