Do the Right Things Scripture Reading: Romans 15:1 – 3a

“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.” 

There is such a difference between the strength the world likes to display and the strength that God calls us to live in as mature followers of Jesus. The strong person in the world has no problem doing whatever he or she wants because they can! Not so with those of us who are strong in the Lord. We are willing to lay down our lives and even things that we may be able to do in our own conscience, in order not to be an offence to others, or hopefully to lead them to a better way.

Of course in the world it is about pleasing ourselves and primarily what our own goals and desires are. It is not to be so in the church. We are to be caught up in the ways of God, and most concerned with how we can please and live for His greater glory, especially in front of our sisters, brothers and those who have yet come to know Jesus.

The world spends themselves building up and boasting of their own accomplishments, doing whatever it takes in order to advance their own schemes and agendas. Not so in the church of the living and loving God. We are called to look not only to our own interests, but to be willing to look to the interests of others. When we see an area where we can make a difference and build up someone else, that is exactly what God is calling us to do.

Where we choose to go, what we choose to eat or drink, what entertainment options we consider worthy of our time – all of these things and more importantly the inner attitudes of our hearts are to live in the posture to, ‘Do the Right Things’, because God is calling us to them! We need only to look at our living and loving Lord Jesus Christ, and how He spent His very life looking to others and fulfilling the perfect will of the Father. I am certainly and eternally grateful that He did, how about you? 

Prayer Father in heaven, how I thank-You for the freedom that is ours in Christ Jesus. Free to love, serve and honor You with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength – and live a life that touches others with the riches of Your mercy, grace and love. I commit to this again today, and ask You to fill me with the Holy Spirit to these ends through Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord. 

Memory Verse: Matthew 6:14“If ___ forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.”