When it comes to way they dress, what they choose to eat and drink, or the kind of entertainment they seek - Christians often proclaim, “Well, I don’t care what anyone else thinks of me. I just try to please God.” I’ve said it, and probably so have you. While correct, it is not always the right choice. Taking into account how other people think about our faith is a part of our decision-making process that really does matter! We cannot be allow ourselves to become the slave of everybody’s opinions, or be content with merely looking good on the surface. But, we glorify God when we realize that how people see us practice our faith can invite them near to Him OR build walls that keep them from Him.
Paul took up a collection of money from the churches where he traveled that was designated to relieve the poverty of the Believers in Jerusalem. Note what he said about the importance of integrity. "We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men." (2 Corinthians 8:20-21, NIV) It’s an important consideration born of real love, not pride. Though we are free in Christ Jesus from religious regulation that others would lay on us as a condition of God’s acceptance, if we are loving people, we will not use our liberty in a way that distresses others.
On the other side of that coin, as we mature in Christ, we will stop throwing fits when another Christian acts in a way that violates our conscience. The realization that it is ultimately God that we both must please and to Whom we both will give account is a true mark of spiritual maturity. The same apostle who recognized his responsibility to act with open integrity also said "we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves." (Romans 14:7, NLT) "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too." (Romans 14:17-19, NLT) The key in all of this is serving Christ with humility and serving others with love! Our love for community will cause us to voluntarily surrender our insistence on self-expression.
Here’s a word from the Word to chew on today. "We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.”" (Romans 15:1-3, NLT)
From The Message, it reads like this: "Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,” is the way Scripture puts it." (Romans 15:1-3, The Message)
I am my brother’s keeper. Are you?
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