Romans 14:6, Giving Thanks to God

Romans 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

The Christian life is very much a life of thanksgiving to God in all his daily activities. Christ has freed us from the bondage of sin and gives us a glorious liberty to live in holiness for the honour and glory of God undergird by His grace. This is the thrust of the Apostle Paul’s exhortation. The Christian life involves much self-examination, contemplation and alignment to the good will of God as revealed in the Scriptures. It is inward looking rather than outward looking. As such, there is little focus on the piety of others rather one’s own piety before God. This is really what matters for the Christian for he is accountable to God for all his actions.

It is not to say that the Christian ignores how fellow believers live their lives. Rather, his focus is on the building up of fellow believers in the faith. The thankful Christian a blessing to fellow believers. He encourages fellow believers to thanksgiving and praise for all of God’s goodness to His children. Many of the psalms express the psalmists’ praises and thanksgiving to God. One personal favourite is “The Old Hundredeth”.

Psalm 100:1-5 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Amen.