Galatians 1:10
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10 NIV
One of the greatest desires of humanity is to feel accepted by others. We go to great lengths to be in the right jobs, rub elbows with the right people, say the right things so no one is offended, and do whatever it takes to be accepted and recognized by others. Throughout our lives, we have sought approval. We wanted our parents, siblings, friends, teachers, and coworkers to like us. We want them to approve of our ideas and love who we are. For some of us, the thought that people might disapprove of who we are and what we are doing is paralyzing. Today, the scripture is about this struggle. Culture tells us that we should be people pleasers. By conforming to the expectations of other people around us or the people we want to be around us, we will find contentment, community, relationship, and happiness in life. Pleasing people generally leads to one outcome, the surrender of our personal identity and purpose. When we allow others to dictate and determine the circumstances in which we will be accepted, and doing whatever it takes to conform to those expectations, we are, in effect, surrendering our autonomous control over to those whom we seek to please. Paul challenges this by saying that we need to be God pleasers, not people pleasers. The number one question before us on today is the one we all must ask ourselves on a daily basis and that is from whom do we seek approval? People of God whose approval are you seeking? If you are seeking the approval of men, I have no doubt that you are not pleasing God. Paul declares that if his goal was to please men, he would be of no benefit to God nor the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Without a doubt, Christ is our goal and we should seek daily to please and serve Him. We as the people of God are reminded in scripture where we should seek and where to put our trust and hope and that is in the Lord our God alone. No man can serve two masters. This chaotic world is a warning to all of us that it is time for the turnaround. It is time to live to please God. Only what we do for Christ will last. Everything else, including people is short lived. if we're living for the Lord's approval, our foundation will always be certain. I pray that today the Lord would give us all a new desire and a firmer resolve to say, We choose to no longer seek the approval of people. Instead we choose to walk only in ways that please God!!!
Father thank You for this day and the strength and resolve to seek Your Word daily. Lord let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family’s portion today. Lord it should be You and You alone that we seek to please. Lord help us when we feel obligated to please people. Lord give us the strength and desire to set You above all, and to place every obligation we make, and every decision under Your guidance and care. Lord help us to weather the criticism of others as we seek to honor You in all things. Lord use my friend to be the salt and light of Your Word to all today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !!
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