Romans 14:1-12

1It is difficult for some Christians to trust God completely about everything. You should accept people like that as your friends. Do not argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.

2Some people believe that they may eat all kinds of food. But other people are not so sure, so they eat only vegetables.

3People who eat anything must not think that they are better than people who eat only vegetables. Also, people who eat only vegetables must not judge other people who eat anything. They are not doing anything wrong, because God himself has accepted them.

4God is the master of all believers and they are his servants. You do not have authority to judge someone else's servant. The servant's own master will decide if he has done well or he has done something wrong. And he will serve his master well, because the Lord is able to help him to do that.

5Some people think that certain days are special and more important than other days. Other people think that all days are the same. Each person should decide what seems right to him.

6A person who makes a certain day special does that so that he can respect the Lord. A person who eats all kinds of food does that so that he can respect the Lord. He thanks God for the food that he eats. A person who refuses to eat certain foods also does that so that he can respect the Lord. And he also thanks God.

7None of us lives only to please ourselves. And we do not die to please ourselves.

8While we live, we want to please the Lord. And when we die, we want that to please the Lord too. So, while we live, or if we die, we continue to belong to the Lord.

9Christ died and then he became alive again. That happened so that he could be the Lord of all people, those who have died and those who are still alive.

10So then, if you eat only vegetables, you must not judge other believers. Also, if you eat anything, you must not think that you are better than other believers. Remember that all of us will have to stand in front of God. He will decide whether we have done what is right or wrong.

11This is written in the Bible: ‘The Lord God says, “As surely as I live, this will certainly happen: Everyone will go down on their knees in front of me. Everyone will praise me that I am God.” ’

12So each of us will have to explain to God about the things that we have done.