Devotional Messages

Glorifying God

In today's reading from Romans, Paul gives a compelling argument regarding the need for unity and encouragement in what is a diverse Church with varying beliefs among its members. As an example, at the time of Paul's writing, there was much food sacrificed to idols, which was often availble for human consumption.

Now there would have been believers strong enough in their faith to see that the idol-god does not exist, and may therefore have no problem eating meat sacrificed to the idol, praising God for His provision, thanking God for revealing Himself to him, and praying that the idol-worshippers may find Him as well. Others at the time may simply have seen that the meat had been used in a pagan ceremony, displeasing to God; and out of reverence and respect to God, would not eat the meat.

Paul points out that it is not for the first believer to judge the second, nor the second to judge the first; as each has thought out their belief, and therefore act in what they feel is the best way to give glory to God. In fact, each believer must make an effort to respect the other believer's faith, and not flaunt his own belief to the other's detriment: "Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died" (v.15b).

Paul also comments that the believer is not to set aside their own beliefs to the dishonour of God, for "blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin" (v.22b-23).

Now, the type of varying beliefs we must allow do not include any that are clearly unbiblical, dishonouring to God, or against the basic faith in Christ. It is not to these beliefs that Paul refers, rather, he refers to the way in which we glorify God in our lives.

Though food sacrificed to idols may be somewhat rare in our times in wealthy nations, parallels may be drawn in a number of varying beliefs within the Church today. For example, there are various views as to the teaching of the Sabbath: while the Old Testament is clear that God desired His people to observe one day in seven as holy and specifically for His glory, some teachings within the New Testament give cause to doubt the application of the sabbath to the Christian life (e.g., Col. 2:16; Matt. 12:1-14).

I personally hold the view that the sabbath teaching is timeless and applies to all believers today. I came to this conclusion after reading the Bible, specifically the Old Testament, and meditating on the facts that God Himself observed a day of rest in the creation of the world, and the sabbath teaching is laid down as the fourth of the Ten Commandments (all of which Christians are to seek to live by in order to please God).

Following this conviction, I have endeavoured to set aside one day per week for rest that is glorifying to God. For a time also, I set out to "educate" those around me as to the necessity of observing the sabbath, thinking it my duty to ensure the glorification of God in other people's lives. Reading of Romans 14 however, convicted me of my need to respect others' decisions on such matters, and instead encourage heartfelt consideration of the issue with heartfelt application of their conclusions in their lives, whatever they may be.

In contrast to my views, it occurred to me that for many Christians, one day out of seven cannot be promoted above any other as a day for holy living, as all are lived out under the loving care of God. Those who hold such a view must support believers in my situation, allowing us to rest without temptation one day in seven; and those in my situation must not judge others as unholy for glorifying God in a different way to ourselves.

There are many similar debated issues in the Church today which are not basic to our faith, but which relate to the way a Christian glorifies God in their own lives. It remains that we must "make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification" (v.19), always seeking the glory of God.

Pray now, that you may have a clear understanding of the ways you are to glorify God in your life, praising Him for the gift of diversity of belief, yet unity in faith in Christ.