Romans 14:5-9

Passage

On one hand, one person judges a day from a day; on the other hand one judges every day.  Let each be absolutely convinced in his own mind.  The one who shows honor to the day shows honor to the Lord.  And the one who eats eats to the Lord for he gives thanks to God.  And the one who does not eat does not eat to the Lord and he gives thanks to God.  For none of us lives to himself and nobody dies to himself.  For if we should live, we live to the Lord.  And if we should die, we die to the Lord.  Therefore, if we should live or if we should die, we are the Lord’s.  For into this Christ died and came back into life – in order that he should be Lord over the dead and the living.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul tells us that there are all kinds of opinions out there.  Some people think one day is more important than other days – especially with respect to worship.  Other people think that all days are the same.  The same is true with food.  Some people think that you can only eat certain foods.  Other people think that it is okay to eat anything.  What Paul tells us is that there is something more important than being obedient for the sake of being obedient.  We are to be obedient so that the Lord is praised.  Giving glory to God through our thoughts, words, and deeds is the ultimate goal.

When you do and say things, how often is giving glory to the Lord your focus?  In the end, what do you think is the most important: giving glory to God or making sure you do it on the right day or eat the right kind of food?

Second Thought:

Paul then gives us one of his most famous quotes in the whole of his writing.  I find that it is also one of the most challenging quotes.  “If we should live, we live to the Lord.  If we should die, we die to the Lord.  Therefore, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.”  The invitational part of this statement is that we can absolutely know with confidence that we belong to the Lord.  The challenging part of this quote is that regardless of what we are doing we should be doing it as though we are doing it for the Lord.  There is no room for self-centeredness in God’s kingdom.  Whether we are alive or whether we are dead, we belong to the Lord and we should be doing the things of the Lord.

How satisfying is it for you to know that you can be the Lord’s?  How do you respond to Paul’s challenge that whatever we do we should do it for God?

Third Thought:

Jesus is Lord over the living and the dead.  There is no escape from God.  Furthermore, there is no place that is outside of His reach for us.  No matter where we are in life, He can find us, reach us, empower us, and give grace to us.  When we die, we are still cradled in His hands.  He is Lord over all.

How does is make you feel to realize that there is no place that is beyond God’s reach?  Do you live as though Jesus is Lord of all in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 14:10-12