Honour the Lord in Your Convictions
Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | November 9, 2026 | Romans 14:5–6
KEY VERSE:
“Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.” Romans 14:6 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Paul has reminded believers to accept one another despite differences in personal convictions. He now turns to a second example of disagreement: special days. Some believers regarded certain days as more sacred than others, while others treated every day alike. Paul does not rush to declare a winner. Instead, he gives a principle that every believer can follow: let each person be fully convinced in his own mind. God wants convictions that are carefully held, guided by His Word, and settled in prayer, not borrowed from the crowd or adopted merely to avoid trouble.
The heart of the passage is the phrase “for the Lord.” The one who observes a day does it for the Lord. The one who eats does it for the Lord and gives thanks. The one who abstains does it for the Lord and also gives thanks. What makes an action honourable is not simply what we do, but the One to whom we do it. In matters where Scripture allows differing personal convictions, two people may act differently and both be pleasing to God because both are motivated by a sincere desire to honour Him.
This frees us from the exhausting habit of measuring other believers by our own practices. It also challenges us to examine ourselves. Why do I keep my particular practices? Is it habit, pride, fear of what people will say, or genuine devotion to Christ? Are my thanksgivings real, or have my routines become empty? God desires hearts sincerely devoted to Him, even when believers differ in their practices on disputable matters.
Whatever we do or refrain from doing in such matters, we should do it sincerely, as unto the Lord, with thanksgiving.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Today, take one conviction you hold, whether about worship, fasting, rest, or the way you spend your time, and offer it afresh to the Lord with a thankful heart. Then let the same grace cover those who practise differently, provided they too are doing it for Him.
PRAYER:
Lord, give me convictions that are rooted in Your Word and settled by Your Spirit. Help me to do everything I do as unto You, and to give thanks in it all. Free me from comparing myself with others and teach me to trust that You can be honoured in more than one way. In Jesus' name, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING
Day 313 Luke 19–21 — Jesus’ Kingship, Faithful Stewardship, and Readiness for His Return
DAILY word study: GIVE THANKS The expression “gives thanks,”comes from the Greek word eucharisteō (εὐχαριστέω), which means to give thanks or express gratitude.
In Romans 14:6, Paul reminds us that both those who eat and those who abstain give thanks to God. His focus is on the Lord whom believers seek to honour.
Gratitude turns our personal practices into sincere acts of devotion. Whatever convictions we hold before God, thanksgiving should guide our hearts.
Reflect on this:
Does gratitude guide the convictions you hold before God?
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