Today's Daily Lesson comes from Matthew chapter 11 verses 18 and 19:
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
Now here's a text that shows us just how impossible it is to please others, and how doubly impossible it is to please others with our spirituality.
The ascetic John the Baptist came with his severe diet and fasting and strict moral prohibitions. Jesus came with greater freedom, even eating and drinking with known sinners. Both were criticized -- and by the same people!
Jesus taught the freedom of practicing and living as one feels appropriate and right. Apparently the LORD takes all kinds. And as for those who think they know what kind God loves best, we can ask them: Was it Jesus' or was it John's or does it just so happen to be their own?
Augustine said, "Love and do what you will."
And to that I would add, "And don't worry a lot about what others say and think."
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