Others Will Also Approve

Scripture:

12 Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God. 13 So don’t condemn each other anymore. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not put an obstacle in another Christian’s path. 14 I know and am perfectly sure on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. 15 And if another Christian is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. 16 Then you will not be condemned for doing something you know is all right. 17 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. 18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God. And other people will approve of you, too. 19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. (Romans 14:12-19 NLT)

Paul says to us in this letter that it really isn’t about what we want individually. God gives to some the ability to eat anything, but for others it is difficult to eat certain foods. Today that is not so much an issue, but there are certainly other things that might be a stumbling block to other people. The Kingdom of God is about living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Lord, I certainly do not want to live my life in such a way that I am a stumbling block to others. I want, above all, to please You, and then to have others approve of me too. You are so good, and I love You! AMEN

For the Word of the Lord holds true and everything He does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, and His unfailing love fills the earth. Psalm 33

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