Galatians 1:10 (ESV)
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Examine / Explain
Judaizers accused Paul of compromising the Gospel to fit the Gentiles. That he was pleasing men instead of God. This was coming from those who were attempting to compromise the Gospel to fit Judaism. We can look 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 and see that Paul just knew his audience. Paul was capable of presenting the Gospel anywhere. And in doing so he was a servant of Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:22–23 (NASB 95)
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
What’s the application?
I believe we all have some people-pleasing tendencies in us. If we don’t, why do we care how we dress? Why do we care if have to right shoes? Why do we care what we drive? Why can there be a marketing industry? We care what others think of us. We want to be liked. This is why we lie, cheat, and steal. To fit in. To be part of the herd. Am I sheep in the herd that is following Christ? Or am I part of the herd that is not following Christ? A man following after Christ is steadfast and holds to the truth. He is vulnerable and knows that exposing lies removes their power over him. A man pursuing Christ will strive to be pleasing to God and not man. It may cost him relationships to please God. I may cost him the things he has in his life. Where do I put my time, talent, and treasure? How do I even please God? By following His voice. Doing the things He calls me to do when He calls me to do them. By rejecting the things of this world that want to take His place in my life. By being a living sacrifice. By living out my sonship. My performance has no bearing on His love me but I am to make disciples and bring the Gospel to the people. I have work to do! Am I reaching them? Do I know my audience?
What’s my response?
Dad, am I pleasing son? Am I forgetting what is behind and straining for what’s head? Am I truly living as a son? Or am I pretending to still be a hired hand? Do I clothe myself in the family garments? Am I trying to please myself? Others? Or You? In my attempts to please You have I removed the fact in my pleasing, I will never get approval, because You have already given it. I will never obtain more approval from You. I have been imparted the righteousness of Christ. That means I am right with You because Christ died for me and I believe it. So I can live as a son and trust You with my salvation. So I need to trust You in every area of my life. I need to live intentionally. I need to stop living at the speed of life and start understanding the real battles. This world is broken and I have to fight for everything AND I have to rest in You. I have work to do and You provide everything. Christianity can seem confusing. The biggest thing I need to remember is You are with me and I need to sit with You. Your presence is key in my life. And I get to share that with others. Do I know my audience? Amen.
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