What is it that pleases God and our fellow human beings?
It is when we make “righteousness, peace, and joy” the core of our faith and of our lives, and when we don’t make external things, like what we eat, and judging others accordingly, the focus. Furthermore, a mature Christian will humbly accommodate others who may be weaker in faith.
This verse also reminds us that a life that pleases God is based on the principle of grace, and not on the principle of legalism. When we understand grace, we show grace to others by not flaunting our lifestyle in front of them.
Jesus pointed them to the love of God
The life of Jesus illustrates this perfectly. He pleased his God (Matt. 3:17; John 8:29) and he also found favour with others (Luke 2:52.) He did not come to judge and condemn the world (John 3:17; 12:47) but instead that the world might be saved through him (John 3:17.)
Jesus’ ministry did not involve going around and pointing out the sins of others and shaming them; instead, he pointed them to the love of God and to himself as the one who saves.
There is one sin, however, that Christ continually and forcefully identified and confronted: the hypocrisy of those who demand that others live according to certain standards, when they do not do so themselves.
Spiritual Application
Read Rom. 14:1–18 again. As you do this, consider the principles involved and not necessarily the specific applications of days and food. Reflect carefully on the question of whether you are serving Christ in a way that pleases God.
Article supplied with thanks to Dr Eliezer Gonzalez.
About the Author: Dr Eli Gonzalez is the Senior Pastor of Good News Unlimited and the presenter of the Unlimited radio spots, and The Big Question. Sign up to his free online course called Becoming a Follower of Jesus to learn about Jesus and His message.
Feature image: Photo by Gianluca Zuccarelli on Unsplash