Reading Time: 4:45
Since Star Wars came out everyone has had a tongue-in-cheek expression for the 4th of May. Even Christians poke fun at it as the “force” being the Holy Spirit which lives inside of us.
Also, it seems to me that there is almost always some event or holiday attached to the days of the month and the weeks of the year. From New Year’s Day through Christmas people set aside special days to commemorate special events. Everything from military conquests to birthdays, we want our days to mean something. We want a reason to celebrate or a reason to venerate the day set before us.
In the Bible we are told that one person esteems one day above another and another person esteems all days alike (Romans 15:5). Whereas one person regards a day to mean one thing, another person will regard that day to mean something totally different. Some Christian sects are “sabbath keepers” and believe the church should come together on Saturday. Others want to meet on what is called “the Lord’s day” in honor of the resurrection of Jesus.
This passage from Romans gives us some instruction concerning this. We should not be judgmental of other people’s preferences. Some people consider every day the same. The remainder of verse 5 says, “Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.” Interestingly, how can two different people be fully convinced in their own minds and yet come up with two totally different opinions?
This is where most people miss it and where so much strife comes from, not only in the world, but in the church. It’s not a matter of right and wrong, it’s a matter of preference. We are beginning to develop a societal attitude that everyone has to believe the same thing about everything or they are wrong and worthless. There is a cultural concept that facts and science should mean that everyone needs to see everything the same way.
I won’t talk about those who exempt themselves from the mandate they impose on others, but I will say that this whole concept is nonsense—for the unbelieving and for the believing. It works out to be nothing more than imposing our will upon another.
Paul goes on to share how one person “eats” and another “abstains.” (Romans 14:6) This concept means that a person has a conscience that guides them. We must quit disavowing the presence of a conscience in others. Returning to verse 5, a person must be fully convinced in their own mind. This is so that it does not go against what their conscience dictates or they will feel self condemned, or worse, controlled by others against their will. This is not freedom. This is bondage.
Paul concludes his teaching in verse 12 where he says:
"So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
Romans 14:12 NIV
This is the crux of the matter. Yes, we should use gentle, respectful persuasion to help people turn from error when it comes to critical doctrinal matters. However, what I see is more of an oppression that states, “If you don’t agree with me and act the way I say, then you are not a person of inherent worth.” This contemptible attitude must be squelched or society will continue to separate along preferential lines and look at others with disdain for their differences.
For the Christian, Paul gives this admonition in verse 22 of the same chapter:
“So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.
Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.”
Romans 14:22 NIV
I’ll leave you to meditate on this verse, but a deeper insight can be found in the way the King James Version translates it:
“Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God.
Happy is he that condemneth not himself
in that thing which he alloweth.”
Romans 14:22 NIV
We allow many things of our own selves, but are very critical about the actions and beliefs of others. Let us not excuse ourselves because or our preferences then condemn others because of theirs.
Of course, there are absolute rights and wrongs defined by God in this life, but there are many freedoms given by him as well. We have great liberty to be volitional beings. However, “do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh.“ (Galatians 5:13) Again, “each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” (Romans 14:12)
Pastor Brian Jenkins
Calvary Assemblies of God