Saquon Barkley, running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, could have set the National Football League record for rushing yards in a season in the January 5, 2025, game against the New York Giants. His coach held him out of the game. It was more important for the Eagles for him to be healthy for the playoff games ahead.
During the first playoff game with the Green Bay Packers on January 12, 2025, Barkley ran through the defense and broke into the clear near the end of the game. He could have enhanced his statistics by running for a touchdown.
He didn’t. He flopped on the field after a relatively short run to prevent injury during an unnecessary touchdown run. It was more important to the team for him to be healthy for the next playoff game.
In these examples, what is best for the team trumps what is best and most ego-stroking for the team’s individuals. The same is true in the Kingdom of God. What is best for God’s Kingdom must shape the decisions and actions of every Kingdom member.
The Apostle Paul highlights that truth in Romans 14:13–23. “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 (Romans 14:17 NLT).
Christians with strong faith understand all food and drink are permissible. Believers with weaker faith don’t have that freedom because eating or drinking some permissible things violates their conscience and would be a sin.
What is best for the Christian team must guide the behavior of those strong in faith. That means not parading their freedom lest they become a stumbling block and tempt their weaker-faith brethren to indulge and sin.
Paul wrote that the Kingdom of God is “living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” What is best for God’s Kingdom is far more important than exercising our freedom in what we eat or drink.
Jesus didn’t die on the cross so we could stubbornly do what we want just because we can. Following Jesus requires dying to self-will to love others and do what is best for them for the long haul.
Goodness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit are all the results of the Holy Spirit’s control in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23). Goodness consists of virtuous deeds those who want to be a blessing to others perform with no desire for recognition.
Paul wrote to Titus, “This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone” (Titus 3:8 NLT).
Peace refers to harmony within the church and those who compose it. Love and mutual submission characterize it.
“You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other” (Mark 9:50 NLT). “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18 NLT). “Live in harmony and peace” (2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT). “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace” (Ephesians 4:3 NLT). “And live peacefully with each other” (1 Thessalonians 5:13 NLT).
Contrary to what self-centered people think, the results of self-denial to keep other believers from stumbling and working for peace among believers is the joy of the Holy Spirit. Jesus came to free us from sin’s control and replace it with lives of goodness, peace, and joy.
The joy of the Holy Spirit is God’s reward for imitating Jesus’ trust in and obedience to the Father (Luke 10:21). No food or drink is worth trading for that. See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians. #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources
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