(1) Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. (2) For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. (3) Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. (4) Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. (5) One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.
Romans 14:1-5
We have a lengthier text today which really speaks for itself, so I’ll refrain from much comment. We are all unique in the kingdom of God and at different places in our spiritual walk. May we never let lesser things divide us as brothers and sisters! One may see something as sinful while another has liberty in that area. I’m not talking about things obviously sinful like the works of the flesh listed in Gal 5:19-21, but I’m referring to customs and traditions wherein we may differ. As our text says, one may have liberty to eat or drink something while another does not. One may observe a particular day while another overlooks it. The encouragement to each of us is to “Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.” (v. 5) Remember, we must all individually stand before God to give an account of our actions (v. 12), so let’s be sure to judge ourselves most critically. We ought to examine our motives behind what we allow or abstain from. Is Christ at the center of those things? We must be sure that these things can truly be done without injuring our conscience or working against faith in Christ, which is exactly the point the apostle makes at the end of this chapter: “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” (Rom 14:22-23)
Jamie