“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”
attributed to John Lydgate
Today’s verses has me pondering the qoute on how often we can please people. In no way does this post imply that I believe we ought to be “doormats” in our attempt to please others. However, from a Biblical perspective and the Apostle Paul’s encouragement, we are most definitely inspired to try to please everyone in every way. Paul continues to explain that it is not his own good that he is seeking but the good of many, so they may be saved.
Hold up! You might be saying, “yes, but Paul is speaking about a specific instance-so many may be saved”. Yes and no.
Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
Romans 15:2-3.
Romans 15:2-3 is a cross reference to today’s verses, and Paul does not specify in these two verses if our neighbors are saved or not. It seems, regardless of our neighbors spiritual status, we are to please our neighbors for their good and to build them up.
The deeper concern here is the heart of the believer. Do you believe you are to please your neighbors for their good? Do you believe you are to emulate Christ who did not please himself? Do you believe the life you live is not your own, but for the sake of Christ and the gospel?
My ponderings somehow always lead me back to discipleship. I truly believe that when we choose to be discipled and to disciple, we create more opportunity to immerse ourselves in the word of God, to ask questions and find the answers that we seek (and then some!). It doesn’t matter how long we have been journeying with Jesus, discipleship ought to always be at the forefront of our minds. We are never to old in the Lord to be discipled. It is from this perspective that we begin to learn that it is ALL about Jesus and his life through us. We learn how to please others because of Jesus so that many may be saved and those that are saved may learn to live in the freedom of the Cross.
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
May we all be more like Paul and follow his example, as he followed the example of Christ.
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