devotional

ROMANS 14

We, as Christians, like to think that our personal convictions are based upon the Scripture when, in actuality, they may be based more on parental persuasion, personal tastes, or prejudice. A conviction is more than an opinion. It is a strong belief that determines one’s behavior.

In Romans 14 there were those who strongly opposed eating meat (14:2) and others were convinced that certain days should be considered holy. (14:5) These two issues remain points of contention even today among churches and individual believers. Romans 14 teaches us that: 1. We all should have some definite convictions. Paul did. He said, "I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus Christ that nothing is unclean in itself". (14:14)

2. We should base our convictions on the Word of God. Paul was persuaded in the Lord Jesus Christ and he says, "Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin". (14:23)

3. We should not force our convictions on others. (14:3) "Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats for God has accepted him." The inference is … so you accept him, too. Concerning holy days, verse 5 says, "let each one be convinced in his own mind.

Paul gives four reasons why we should not push our personal convictions on others: Because we may begin to play God (14:4,12,13), because convictions vary too much between individuals (14:2,5), because we may offend people (14:15,20), and because our convictions change as we mature spiritually (14:1, 14).

Paul concludes that our ultimate conviction should be to keep unity and peace. (14:17) "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Verse 19 "So let us pursue what makes for peace and mutual up building. Verse 20 "Do not for the sake of food destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats." Verse 22, "That faith that you have, keep between yourself and God.

Sometimes our personal convictions are best kept between God and us especially if sharing them would cause a weaker brother to stumble or cause disunity in the body of Christ.

Jere H. Brubaker (Elder, ABF Teacher)