Personal Convictions – Part 1

From The Real Sabbath Devotional Series

Today I’m sharing devotion number four in the Real Sabbath Devotional Series: Special Days. In this devotion, I share about the importance of understanding personal conviction regarding establishing special days for rest, as Christians under grace.

Personal Convictions – Part 1 – S3 E4

Focus Verse

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Romans 14:5

Devotion

As Jesus fulfilled the law on our behalf, we do not need to observe the Sabbath. Yet, there are Christians who choose to have special days established for rest and focused time with God – for instance, Sundays. Then there are others who do not establish specific days but try to apply the Sabbath principle in their everyday life.

As Paul says in Romans 14:6

“Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. “

and later on in verses 10-12 he states

“Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” 

So when considering the dates and times we dedicate to the Lord, let us be convinced in our own conscience, while graciously understanding that as Christians, we are under grace, and these are matters of personal conviction.

As Christian mothers, it’s also important we teach our children these principles of being under God’s grace, and also acting according to our personal convictions, while simultaneously not judging those who see things differently. 

Finally, whether we set certain days of rest, or not, it’s important that we understand the timeless principles regarding the Sabbath – rest and focused time with God. 

Questions for reflection

• Do you ever feel tempted to judge Christians who have different convictions than you with regards to the Sabbath rest?
• How can you extend grace to them?

Prayer

Lord, I pray that You would help us focus on the timeless principles of the Sabbath rest, and help us be obedient to the personal convictions You’ve given us. At the same time, help us to be gracious towards those who don’t see things in the same way. Help us to teach our children the timeless principles regarding the Sabbath, and help us to teach them how to be gracious towards those who have different convictions. Also, please help us to teach our children Your righteousness, Your justice and Your goodness and teach them the importance of rest in You and how that’s a way of putting our trust in You. Amen.