3. Know that the Lord receives us
The third basic principle in the application of the law of liberty is to know, understand and believe that, the Lord has received us. So whether one eats or don’t eat, or whether one observes or do not observe days the Lord has received them both, and so we have been duly admonished saying; “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him” (Romans 14: 1-3).
This sentiment is also applicable in the observation of days as clearly stated; “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. 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.”
‘For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's” (Romans 14:5-8).
What is imperative to note and understand by everyone is that; “For by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Therefore, whether one eats or not, or observing or not observing days these have absolutely no effect on one’s salvation because, according to the apostle Paul; “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them” (1 Corinthians 6:12-13)
.Nevertheless, what we all need to take into consideration is the fact that, despite the fact that it is by grace that we have all been saved through faith and it is not of ourselves but it’s God’s gift to man; “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:9).
Now, before getting into the good works which God ordained beforehand that we should walk in them we should also consider the apostle Paul’s admonition which states; “What then? Shall we sin (transgress the law of God) because we are not under law but under grace? The response is, “Certainly not! (Romans 6:15)
Why, because having been set free from sin (free from transgressing the law of God) one became slaves of righteousness and being slaves of righteousness means that the individual is living within the confines the law because according to the apostle Paul; “knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine” (1Timothy 1:9-10).
Now the good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in is categorized in two (2) basic categories as stated by Jesus Christ saying; “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40).
Now love towards God is expressed through true spiritual worship which has specific protocols and guidelines and although one has the prerogative to observe or not to observe, if one chooses to worship the Lord it must not be done under compulsion, coercion, according to the imagination of one’s own heart or according to the customs and traditions of men, because there are specific protocols and guidelines as to how we ought to worship God.
The second aspect of the good works which were ordained beforehand that we should walk in is to love our neighbor as ourselves which in short means that we are to do unto others just as we would like them do unto us.
As believers, we therefore are to be very mindful and watchful that we do not allow ourselves to be caught up in the rough turbulent waters of legalism or in the calm, placid but deadly toxic waters of liberalism because they are both equally detrimental to our spiritual growth.
To be continued
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With brotherly love
Lucius Joseph
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