Who Are You Pleasing?

For too many believers the discussion of Christian liberty has a tendency to focus on the liberty more than the Christian. This is not a 21st century development. The exhortation given to the Christians at Rome by the Holy Spirit through Paul's letter makes it abundantly clear that there were those in the first century who were abusing the freedom given to them through salvation. Paul exhorts strong Christians to "bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please [themselves]." (Rom 15:1) Thus, the question must be asked, "Who are you pleasing?"
The world preaches self-love but the Word proclaims sacrificial love. We are reminded in the letter to the church at Ephesus that man's natural inclination is to love self and do whatever is necessary to care for self. (Eph 5:29) As a Christian, however, my greatest goal should be the care and spiritual welfare of others. As we care for others within the body the unity that we have through the Holy Spirit is magnified. God has always been concerned with the unity of His people. (Psalm 133:1; Ephesians 4:1-3)
Our example, as always, is Christ. He was consumed with the desire to please the Father and to do the work He had been sent to accomplish. (John 8:29) Jesus always did what would please the Father and bring a smile to His face. We must realize that living according to this Truth is not going to always make us popular with other people. Even Christ suffered persecution because of the hatred and rejection of people for Truth. (Psalm 69:9)
Who are you pleasing at home, at school, in the workplace, within the local church? As we seek to please the Lord we will serve and edify others and self will be put in its place.