Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 02, 2023: SOAP #4929: Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 14:14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.

OBSERVATION:  I see that part of the invisible basis for the Old Testament law was love expressed in restraining the sinful nature, restraining our mistreatment of others. 

The basis for the New Testament commandments is also love, love that can be seen by what we do.  It is an emphasis on the “do’s” rather than the “do nots.”  The “do not lie” becomes “do speak the truth humbly and kindly.”  The “do not covet” becomes “do help them and rejoice in their blessings.”

Restraining our sinful nature becomes restraining our freedoms out of love for the person who is loved dearly by God.  Knowing how much they mean to God makes such restraints a joyful sacrifice.

APPLICATION:  The emphasis of love is not on how I expect others to treat me, but on how I treat others.  If people do not love me perfectly, I can still rejoice and love them because the source of perfect love lives in me!  With Jesus living inside, I have a source of divine love that fills my heart and overflows to others.  My love for others is not a response to their love for me, but a response to His love for me!

PRAYER:   Lord, thank you for loving me.  May your love in me be visible in how I treat others.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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