You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
All religions have one thing in common - rules! Religion implicitly says, 'obey the rules, or at least try hard, and you will be acceptable'. Yet, as human beings, we are incapable of following all the rules all the time ... we cannot even keep our own good resolutions. That is why a relationship with God through Jesus Christ is so different. We are not accepted on the basis of what we do, but on what Christ has done for us. It is certainly not that we have done enough good things, but that Jesus Christ (through His death) has taken away our shameful record of bad behaviour.
So, the Kingdom of God is not about observing particular dietary habits or any other rules, but about learning to live a new life in the company of the Holy Spirit, full of joy and peace. As we do so, many people will appreciate the positive change in the way we behave - released from the gloom of dull duty into a dynamic relationship with God - making every day a glorious adventure with the Lord who has made us, knows us and loves us.
Followers of Jesus are expected to be full of the Holy Spirit. That is 'normal living' in the Kingdom of God. Yet so often we are worried and obsessed by trying to be perfect. Instead of enjoying our relationship with God, we become peculiarly self-centred and religiously obsessive. Where has our joy and freedom gone? It has disappeared because we are trying to please God by our own efforts rather than relying on His grace, and being willing to be instructed by the Holy Spirit. If that is a temptation for you, then recognise how Satan is wishing to rob you of your joy and increase your anxiety. Repent, and ask the Lord to fill you again with Himself. Then learn to work with Him so that He takes the weight of the responsibility and receives the glory.
Prayer: Holy and righteous God. Thank You that You do not demand perfection from me before I receive Your love. Thank You for changing me from the inside so that I learn how to please You. I am sorry when I have turned my relationship with You into a religion of works. Please forgive me and fill me again with Your Holy Spirit so that I can enjoy fellowship with You, receiving Your peace in my heart and overflowing with joy. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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