Today, some people say all the right words and appear to be Believers, but their actions say otherwise. They only make a show of themselves to be seen and heard by others. I want to have a real relationship with You Lord and be genuine in all that I say and do. Help me always be on guard for the ugly head of pride that can rise up and seek the recognition of people rather than of You. If I have recognition from You, I will not need it of any other. May it always be so in my life. Stephen totally understood this and lived this out til his death...
Romans 14
12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.13 So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. 14 I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong.15 And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don't let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died.16 Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good.17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
Mark 12:38-40 NLT also says
Here are some of the other things he taught them at this time:
"Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they love to parade in flowing robes and to have everyone bow to them as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and at banquets. But they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property, and then, to cover up the kind of people they really are, they make long prayers in public. Because of this, their punishment will be the greater."
