One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
—Romans 14:5 (KJV)
So often, we let personal preferences, peer pressure, and peer concerns about celebrating certain days, especially holidays, have a divisive effect on our Christian relationships. We're not to try to press our opinion or position on anyone else. We're not to judge others because they don't celebrate a special day to the LORD we celebrated. We're not to judge another because she does celebrate special days. Celebrating certain days as holy is a matter of personal conviction that revolves around our desire to please the LORD and to honor him in ways we feel are appropriate. Let's not be so insecure that we have to do what everyone else does. Likewise, let's not force anyone to do what we prefer. Instead, let's remember the right angle to take with everything: honor God with all that we are and do and consider the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ even before our own (Matthew 22:37-40; Ephesians 4:29).
O Father, please forgive us for fracturing the fellowship of your people based on human observances and special holy days as we hold our preferences about them. As for me, dear Father, please give me the courage to honor Christ according to my convictions and his commands. Please also give me the wisdom to do so in ways that bless your people and do not cause division. With the help of your Spirit, I will find ways to bring you the glory due you and maintain my fellowship with your children. Please purify my heart, and guide me in all that I do and approve. In Jesus' name, I ask for your help. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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—Romans 14:5 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
So often, we let personal preferences, peer pressure, and peer concerns about celebrating certain days, especially holidays, have a divisive effect on our Christian relationships. We're not to try to press our opinion or position on anyone else. We're not to judge others because they don't celebrate a special day to the LORD we celebrated. We're not to judge another because she does celebrate special days. Celebrating certain days as holy is a matter of personal conviction that revolves around our desire to please the LORD and to honor him in ways we feel are appropriate. Let's not be so insecure that we have to do what everyone else does. Likewise, let's not force anyone to do what we prefer. Instead, let's remember the right angle to take with everything: honor God with all that we are and do and consider the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ even before our own (Matthew 22:37-40; Ephesians 4:29).
My Prayer...
O Father, please forgive us for fracturing the fellowship of your people based on human observances and special holy days as we hold our preferences about them. As for me, dear Father, please give me the courage to honor Christ according to my convictions and his commands. Please also give me the wisdom to do so in ways that bless your people and do not cause division. With the help of your Spirit, I will find ways to bring you the glory due you and maintain my fellowship with your children. Please purify my heart, and guide me in all that I do and approve. In Jesus' name, I ask for your help. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
