ROMANS Study Guide

b. The point here is that w e are not to be judging one another’s

freedom (personal convictions) in what we allow or don’t allow

ourselves to do (as long as it is not violating any primary or essential

teaching of scripture such as fornication). (Review Ephesians 4:4-6 for

essential scriptural truth)

c. Areas of “doubtful disputing” (arguing and debating nonessentials

beliefs) (vs2)

1) restricted eating or non-restricted eating - this is not about dieting or

health issues but what a believer considers how they are to honor the

Lord in their life. They see this as a conviction of how they draw close

to God and please him. Vs.3

2) Sacred days (vs.5) The Jews had a variety of sacred days and times

of fasting and prayer days. Paul is saying that for the

Gentile believer they can observe such days, or they don’t have to. The

key is that whatever they choose to do must be measured by one

crucial standard – however they practice their belief “do it unto the

Lord” (To glorify the Lord!). In truth, Paul is saying the Gentiles may

select “every day of the week as sacred” and to be set aside to glorify

the Lord. Vss.6, 8

3) Other possible areas today - styles of worship, how we dress for

worship, meeting in a home or church building, being Baptist or

Methodist, etc.

d. Only God can judge his servants (vs.4)

1) Everything we do in regard to living and pleasing the Lord in the area

of non-essential beliefs is personal and should not be a church wide

issue of fellowship.