![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Banner-MOG-701.gif\" "\\"Ministry")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
He who observes the day, observes<\/strong><\/span> it<\/em> <\/span>to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe<\/strong><\/span> it<\/span>.<\/em> 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.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Convictions are good if properly focused.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cobserves<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek verb phrone\u014d<\/span>.<\/em> This word literally means \u201cto use the mind.\u201d It has a number of nuance interpretations in English, such as \u201cto have a mindset about,\u201d \u201cto be mentally inclined toward,\u201d \u201cto interest oneself in,\u201d or \u201cto be of an opinion about.\u201d This is the same word that Paul used back in Romans 8:5<\/strong><\/span>, translated as \u201cset their minds on,\u201d<\/p>\n For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those<\/span> who live<\/em><\/span> according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n This word indicates more than simply an occasional thought about something. It implies more of a state of mind or what we would call a conviction.<\/p>\n \u201cGives thanks<\/span>\u201d is from euchariste\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of eu<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cwell\u201d and a form of charidzomai<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto grant as an undeserved favor or as an act of grace.\u201d Thus, euchariste\u014d<\/em> <\/span>means \u201cto show good favor,\u201d that is, \u201cto express gratitude.\u201d From this comes the English expression \u201cto say grace\u201d before eating a meal. Whatever we do, whether it is eating or some other action, we should give God thanks for it.<\/p>\n Paul now makes his summary statement regarding what he has said in the previous four verses. Whether it is regarding one day as special or abstaining from certain kinds of foods, there is no right or wrong belief. What is important is that the belief, or conviction, is focused on God, not on self. Unfortunately, our earthly flesh tends to make us believe that everyone should behave the way that we do with regard to the things that we have a strong conviction about. However, God does not give all Christians the same convictions.<\/p>\n Now, what Paul says is that the spiritually mature Christian who believes that Sunday is a day sacred to the Lord does so to honor God. And the spiritually mature Christian who believes that all seven days of the week are equally sacred does so to honor God. Likewise, the spiritually mature Christian who believes that certain foods should not be eaten does so because it honors God and the spiritually mature Christian who believes that all foods are given by the Lord as acceptable gives honor to God as he or she eats them. In each case what is done or not done is because of a conviction that it honors the Lord.<\/p>\n The crux of what Paul is saying is that the focus of all mature Christians should be on glorifying God. When we honor God in anything we necessarily lift Him up, which by the very definition means that we lower, or humble, ourselves before Him. It\u2019s a matter of where our focus is.<\/p>\n If you have been critical of another Christian for not having the same conviction that you do, then you need to refocus that conviction God-ward instead of man-ward.<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Signature1.gif\" "\\"Will\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n