There are issues within the Body of Christ today that could be easily resolved if we adhered to the scriptures. One issue the Apostle Paul wrote about in Romans 14 was in regard to eating and special days—or rather the believer’s disagreements in regards to food and special days. Paul states, “One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only (Romans 14:2). He also states, “One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.” (Romans 14:5).
It's a well-known fact that some believers criticize other believers based on their choice to eat certain foods or to engage in certain days. The Book of Romans was written before the existence of certain holidays such as Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, so I am not entirely sure that we can use this scripture to support or refute our acceptance or rejection of certain holidays known throughout the world today.
However, I am certain that the days Paul was referring to in the text were days that the Jews and Gentiles were likely quarreling over. The Jews may have told the Gentiles they had to celebrate certain Jewish holidays and perhaps the Gentiles continued to celebrate certain holidays that the Jews rejected. The same is true of food.
We know there were certain foods under the Old Law that were deemed unclean, and God’s people were commanded to abstain from those foods. Yet Paul, stated the following: “I know and I am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”
And in regards to special days Paul states, “He who observes the day observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat and gives thanks to God (Romans 14:6). Paul goes on to say that no believer lives or dies for themselves, but that they do everything for the Lord.
Therefore, we should not condemn or judge our fellow brothers or sisters in Christ for eating or abstaining from certain foods or observing or rejecting certain days. That is not our place to judge. It is God’s. As Paul states, “Why do you judge your brother? We will all stand before the judgment seat of God.”
So, it is not our place to judge; rather, it is our place to love. If we know that our brother or sister is offended when we eat certain foods or engage in certain days, then we should avoid doing so out of love for them. We are to be unified. One Lord. One Faith. One Baptism, right?
If we are to remain in unity, we cannot willingly offend those in the Body. God has done a marvelous work in his creation of the church. He has created a body of believers built on the solid foundation that is Christ Jesus. Why would we tear down his beautiful work over something as trivial as food? Over something as fleeting as special days?
The Kingdom of God is bigger than our petty arguments. People are dying in their sins every day while the Body of Christ argues over food and holidays. We are to build up the Kingdom, not tear it down. Paul states, “Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.” (Romans 14:20).
If something offends your brother or is evil to him, then let him be convinced of that. Love him, avoid doing offensive things around him, and move on towards the things of God. If that brother or sister is condemning you for what they deem as evil, talk it out. Rehash scriptures, but keep love in mind. Bear unity in your heart, and for the love of God’s body, do not tear it down.
Envision God creating something beautiful for you. Something that benefits you and others. But as God builds, you destroy. Imagine demolishing the very thing you benefit from. That’s precisely what we do to God’s handiwork—his Church—when we choose divisive behavior over love and unity.
So, reader, I encourage both you and me to love one another. Let’s choose unity even in our disagreements. Of course, we need to search scripture to see if a definite answer can be given by God. Some people will argue that some sins are not sins and will tell you that your conviction is just that—a conviction and not sin.
We are to use wisdom in those disagreements. It’s not wise to remain unified with someone who deems sin and wickedness as a mere matter of being convicted. God defines sin, and our conviction is not needed to define sin as sin. I’d argue to avoid foolish arguments with people who think they can say something is not sinful that God calls sinful.
But in regards to foods and days as Paul reviewed in Romans 14, let every man be fully persuaded of his or her convictions in their own mind. And whatever that conviction may be, whether we agree with it or not, let’s remain in unity. Let’s love one another and for God’s sake, your sake, and mine, do not tear down the work of God. Do not tear down God’s Church.
That’s all I have for you today. Be blessed and have an amazing week.