Daily Devotional | Acceptable Differences

My father was a fan of Dixieland jazz. If I complained about it, he usually responded with the Latin phrase: De gustibus non est disputandem, which means, “In matters of taste, there can be no disputes.” While one person has a great love of jazz, another might only listen to classical music. It all depends on their personal taste.

The differences mentioned in today’s reading weren’t merely questions of good or bad taste. They were matters of conscience. Paul addresses specific debates having to do with food. While one person’s faith allowed them to eat everything, another would eat only vegetables (v. 2). Others disputed about the observance of sacred days (v. 5).  We don’t know the exact nature of these differences except to say that they were issues of faith and food. In Corinth, there were differences about whether Christians should eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols (1 Cor. 8:4). Some in the Galatian churches disagreed about the observance of sacred days. As long as these differences did not compromise the gospel, Paul counseled toleration (Rom. 14:3).

However, Paul does point out that this did not mean that every difference of opinion was merely a matter of personal taste. Some in Corinth had crossed the line by exercising their liberty in a way that caused others to violate their conscience (1 Cor. 8:9–11). Those in Galatia had probably adopted the Jewish calendar and were requiring Gentiles to observe it. Paul viewed this as a form of bondage to the law (Gal. 4:9–10). Again, it returns to acting in love, valuing others above our own personal choice.

>> How does loving our neighbor influence our tastes and preferences? If we love others, we must consider how our actions affect them. We should not look contemptuously on those who differ from us when it is a matter of personal conscience. The law of love may even require us to limit our personal freedom as an act of love (1 Cor. 8:13).

Pray with Us

When the world speaks of love, it does not know the depth and power of yours. Lord, give us your love for others so that all who interact with us get a taste of you.

BY Dr. John Koessler

John Koessler is Professor Emeritus of Applied Theology and Church Ministries at Moody Bible Institute. John authors the “Practical Theology” column for Today in the Word of which he is also a contributing writer and theological editor. An award-winning author, John’s newest title is When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray (Kirkdale). Prior to joining the Moody faculty, he served as a pastor of Valley Chapel in Green Valley, Illinois, for nine years. He and his wife, Jane, now enjoy living in a lakeside town in Michigan.