In the previous passage, Paul reminded us to welcome those brothers and sisters in Christ with whom we have disagreements. As we noted previously, Paul has already condemned sinful actions. Here, he is still speaking about those things that fall under Christian liberty. These are matters that God has not forbidden, but about which some members of the body have particular convictions.
Paul does not tell us to divide over the color of the carpet, how many days we attend church each week, what kinds of music we use, or whether it is better to eat only vegetables. Instead, Paul wants us to live according to our renewed minds, with hearts transformed by God’s grace.
“The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God” (Romans 14:6).
Paul is painting a picture of the servants of God living out their salvation. These brothers and sisters desire to honor God and are doing so in different ways, but with the same goal and from the same source. They all seek to honor God out of gratitude for what He has done for them.
Paul first makes the point that each should be fully convinced in his own mind. This cannot simply mean, “Do whatever you want,” because Paul, along with the entirety of Scripture, makes it clear that we must obey God. Rather, in matters where God has given us liberty, we should act according to convictions formed by His Word, without imposing our own convictions as commandments upon others.
If our lives are truly being transformed by the renewal of our minds, all that we do should be centered on pleasing God.
As humble servants of God, we know that we do not live our lives by ourselves or for ourselves. We each live to honor Christ. We do not presume upon the gracious gift that Christ has given us. He is our Lord, whether in life or in death. In the small and great matters of our lives, He rules over all.
Therefore, whether we eat or abstain, observe a day or regard all days alike, live or die, we should seek to honor Him in everything we do.
For we are the Lord’s.
-steve