Pleasing Others!

We have probably all experienced the truth of the statement that we can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but we can’t please all of the people all of the time. Trying to please others can be extremely challenging. Sometimes our best efforts just don’t pan out because we either don’t know what might truly please another or they are of a disposition that is just never agreeable regardless of what others do. Also we need to bear in mind that what is pleasing to some is not always pleasing to God. God is the One Whom we must always seek first to please. (note Acts 5:29; Galatians 1:10; Ephesians 6:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:4) Still, when it comes to pleasing others, for what purpose should we do so?

Paul exhorted…
“(1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (2) LET EACH OF US PLEASE HIS NEIGHBOR FOR HIS GOOD, to build him up.” ( Romans 15:1-2 ESV)

Paul had just finished writing with regard to being loving and accepting when it came to matters of opinion with a consideration of the possible impact personal choices can have on the faith of others. ( Romans 16) The thoughts of the beginning of the 15th chapter are continued with that context in mind. The thing for us to note is that Paul urged his readers to strive to please their neighbor “FOR HIS GOOD”, not simply to please their every whim! Now, in the process we may need to set aside what pleases ourselves (vs.1) and we should be willing to do so, but we are never to set aside the Will of God. Paul went on to point to Jesus as the supreme example of having set Himself aside in seeking to not merely please Himself ( Romans 15:3), but accepted the reproach He did not deserve. Jesus would have been justified had He immediately struck down those who disagreed with Him. However, our Lord kept the GOOD OF OTHERS in mind by fulfilling the means of the hope of eternal salvation.

When others are struggling to grow in their faith, the loving thing is not for us to simply endure them, but to encourage and try to build them up. Instead of snubbing them or pushing them away, we ought to embrace them in the loving acceptance of Jesus. ( Romans 15:7) When self is in the way that is not always easy to do. Considering what will truly be GOOD FOR THEM is what will be pleasing to God and be helpful in drawing us together in the unity of the faith. May we continually bear in mind THE GOOD that others need in accordance with the truth of God.

Have a great day SHARING A GENUINE INTEREST IN THE WELFARE OF OTHERS!
Carl

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