Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Several other bible versions use the word convinced in place of persuaded. I see a subtle difference between the two, but I am not sure that for the purposes of this devotional that it makes that much of a difference.

There has always been and will always will be personal preferences in performance of liturgical functions within churches. There can very well be differences even within one church. As long as any of those differences do not touch foundational truths it really does not matter and they should not be used as an excuse to judge another’s preferences.

v13a Let us not therefore judge one another any more:

So why are we encouraged to be “fully persuaded” if it does not matter?

v14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

The Lord knows your heart, He knows your vulnerabilities, He knows what sins are at your door. The Lord persuades to protect. To be fully convinced in your mind is accepting that the Lord knows what is best for your relationship with Him and with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

v22-23 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

By faith the Lord said don’t, so I don’t. That does not mean He said don’t to you over my issues. You have your own set of don’ts to deal with.