Romans 14:6: He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.
Paul’s indisputable point: people with opposing viewpoints on non-essentials can both be perfectly right with God. We need to take this to heart. Two of the most famous Christians in the Victorian Era in England were Charles Spurgeon and Joseph Parker, both mighty preachers of the gospel. Early in their ministries they fellowshiped and even exchanged pulpits. Then they had a disagreement, and the reports got into the newspapers. Spurgeon accused Parker of being unspiritual because he attended the theater. Interestingly enough, Spurgeon smoked cigars, a practice many believers would condemn. In fact, on one occasion someone asked Spurgeon about his cigars, and he said he did not smoke to excess. When asked what he meant by excess, he waggishly answered, “No more than two at a time.”5 Who was right? Perhaps neither, perhaps both! Better yet would be to realize that the two could disagree and both be in the will of God. If the Lord convicts you that something is wrong in your life, you had better not do it, even if other Christians are doing it!. 1
Application
- Does your life reflect that of a Christian who is “walking in the Spirit?”
- Thank God for the things you do and for the things you do not desire to do.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for making my crooked ways…straight.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1991). Romans: righteousness from heaven. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
