Romans 14 Part 3
Romans 14 – Part Three
Last time we examined Paul’s use of food that had possibly been used as a sacrifice to an idol as an example of tolerance and how the life of Christ in us prompts us to behave. In this part of our text Paul’s example turns to religious observances.
Romans 14: 5-6 “5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.”
Recently I wrote about the Sabbath in the New Testament. You can find that article on my website if you are interested. Paul’s statements about holy days here follow the same line of thought. While celebration of particular days is not a requirement under the new covenant, neither are such celebrations now prohibited. They are unnecessary. Our freedom in Christ precludes the need of them. More about that in a moment. At the same time, such things need not cause disunity. Each one of us gives thanks to God in his or her own way and each is free to do what makes them most comfortable.
Paul also says that each should be fully persuaded in his own mind. So, if a thing bothers you, do not do that thing. If abstaining from something bothers you, by all means, carry on doing it. The Spirit of God who lives in you is fully capable of teaching, training, and maturing each one of us—even those we view as hopelessly confused.
In Galatians we find Paul talking to the saints and encouraging them to grow up in the grace of God: Galatians 4:9-10 (KJV) “9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.” Then in Colossians 2:16-17 (KJV) we read, “16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”
All these religious observances are shadows. Jesus Christ is the substance that casts the shadows. In one area or another each one of us paid attention to a shadow for a period of time before we discovered Him whose shadow it was.
Two points I take from all this are these. First, it is freedom in Christ that is the standard under the new covenant. The freedom is there, and we can and should live in it, but at the same time, we are not to judge those who do not yet understand the freedom they have. Second, this consideration for others is not just about the specific examples Paul is giving here.
Can you see how this helps us live at peace with others? How it engenders unity rather than division?
Paul points it out in Romans 14: 7-8. “7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
A body is a unified organism. The body of Christ is no exception. In fact, it is far more unified than our physical bodies. Those who have joined themselves to the Lord are one spirit with him. (see 1 Corinthians 6:17)
In the next installment we will look at verses nine through twelve where we will see how the finished work of Jesus removes any sense of pride in our spiritual maturity or status in Christ.
