HONOR THE LORD

Romans 14:5-9
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Danger of Criticism

5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.


Why do you do what you do? Why do you go to church on Sunday … pray before you eat … kneel when you pray? Why do you sing the way you sing, be it hymns or gospel or praise tunes? Why do you dress up in your, as the old folks would say, ‘Sunday go to meeting’ clothes?

You may have some religious practice which I have not listed. Still the question is why? Why do you do the things you do?

The answer may honestly be that you grew up in that tradition. You do it that way because that’s the way it was done in your family. And quickly, there is nothing wrong there as long as you understand why.

Another answer may be that you don’t know why … it just feels right.

The Apostle Paul told the Romans the what they do is not the point but rather the why. No matter how they practice their faith, it should be “… to honor the Lord”.

Is that your why?