5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;
8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
V. 5 - “Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.” - Paul shows he understands this problem is not limited to food choices. The principle of living each moment for the Lord is paramount. Is Sunday more important to you than Monday, or Saturday? Are some holidays more sacred to you than others? Are the worship songs from an older hymnal the only true way to raise your voice in song to God? Are the modern worship songs, with simple repetitive lyrics the best way to commune with your Lord? The list can be endless: movies, playing cards, having a drink of wine or beer, etc.
V. 6 - “for he gives thanks to God“ - All of these non-doctrinal issues are unimportant because our focus should be on Jesus Christ, on God, through the power of the Holy Spirit,
V. 7 - “For not one of us lives for himself” - We are to live our lives worthy of the price paid for us. “So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Col 1:10) I do not live my Christian life for myself, for my wife, for my friends or pastor of my church. Christ is the one who saves me. To Him I owe my spiritual life, my new life. Therefore, I live to please Him. That is my goal as I live out my life here on earth.
V. 8 - “therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's” - Paul here is telling them whether they are allowed to live, or whether they may give their lives as martyrs - it is for Christ, and Christ alone.
Allow me one (at least one) caveat. This section is not approving ALL behaviors. There are things that no Christian should do. See the following lists: Rom. 1:29-32; 2 Tim. 3:2-5; 1 Tim. 6:4-5; Col. 3:5-9; Gal. 5:19-21. These are not comprehensive. People who practice these - anger, hatred, adultery, homosexual behavior - may not have Christ living in their lives. They are not acceptable in any circumstance. These (in the lists) are not the focus of this section of Paul’s letter. Eating, or holy days, or eating food offered to idols, are not sinful, but focusing on them and judging fellow believers is sinful.
However, the problem arises when these practices (e.g., eating, holy days, eating food offered to idols, etc.) become the focus of a church or group of believers. When any of these activities begin to take focus away from Jesus Christ our Lord the church begins to lose its ability to draw people to Christ and change their lives to conform to Christ. In other words, church becomes a performance rather than faith and belief in Jesus operating out of His love bestowed upon us.
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