We all want to be right—and to be righteous. When we’re deeply rooted in our convictions, we can start thinking everyone else should share them. Let’s clarify the difference: a command is clearly stated in God’s Word, while a conviction is something we believe God is leading us to do or not do, often based on scriptural principles. There’s room for differences in convictions. If God has placed a conviction on your heart, follow it—but don’t require others to do the same. When it comes to clear commands, though, we who have surrendered to Jesus should hold each other accountable.
“Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about disputed matters.”
We often go through cultural trends where Christian convictions get imposed on others. Paul calls us to a different approach to unity in the body of Christ—one that doesn’t demand uniformity in all convictions. He says to welcome those with different convictions and not argue over disputed matters. Paul highlights controversies of his day: Should we eat only vegetables? Are some days more important than others? A big cultural challenge then was eating meat offered to idols. Scripture doesn’t forbid it, but one could easily form a conviction against it. After all, this meat was offered to false gods and demons before being sold cheaply at the market. Why would a follower of Jesus eat it?
“Whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith, and everything that is not from faith is sin.”
Paul urges us not to argue over these matters but to examine our own hearts. He says, “Everything that is not from faith is sin.” Wow! We must be convinced that what we’re doing aligns with what God wants for us, not just what others think. We should pursue God and honor Him, giving our brothers and sisters room to work out their own faith with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). We hold each other to Scripture’s clear commands, but allow space for each person to wrestle with the convictions God has placed on their heart.
“Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”
As brothers and sisters in God’s family, we’re called to build each other up and welcome one another. Let’s give grace, trusting God to work in each heart through His Holy Spirit as He shapes each person’s convictions. We don’t need to argue over things Scripture doesn’t make clear—we live out our own convictions with true faith, knowing what God has asked of us. Am I welcoming others despite our differences, or am I arguing over disputed matters? Let’s build each other up in love, honoring God with our unity.
