I recently started a new job that requires me to be among people all day long. I love it, most of the time. I like to interact with people and hopefully brighten up their day a little bit. However, in the process of working in the world, I have to be careful not to let the influence of the world take over me. Living and working in the world can be challenging things to do. Because, as Christians, we are not of this world (John 17:16), everything that is in the world is contrary to what we as Christ followers stand for. We have to make a decision to stand for what we believe in and act it out while having to be in the world.
Galatians 1:10 is probably one of my favorite verses in the New Testament, and I often reference it a lot. Here is the same passage as above but in a couple different translations for you:
“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” (KJV)
“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” (NLT)
This verse, simply put, is a challenging, convicting, and almost a scary-at-first-glance passage. It’s saying that if I work and live to please people and win their approval rather than God, than I would not be Christ’s servant. That makes me think for a minute.
Now, I want to clarify something quick. This passage isn’t giving you a restriction on having friends and getting along with others, or having people like you. On the other hand, this passage doesn’t give you permission to go and do wrong to others or do things that will make others not like you-on purpose. This passage is saying when it comes to the way you live your life, make sure everything you’re doing is for a couple things. One, makes sure it’s for God’s glory, not so that man can praise you. Two, make sure when you do something that it’s for the intent of His Kingdom, not this world. And three, when you do something, make sure it lines up with the Bible rather than man’s standard. Let’s talk about these briefly.
When doing things on an everyday basis, make sure it’s for God’s glory, and not so that man can praise you.- God is the one who created everything when you look around. Everything exists for Him, and so that it may praise Him (Romans 11:36). Interestingly enough, the human race has distorted this and we often think that things are here to serve us, or that we are here to do good things. Again, let me clarify, we are intended to do good works, (Ephesians 2:10), however, we are to do those things for God’s glory and with love. If we do something for someone because we want to look good and receive praise, than that’s not being Christ’s servant, that’s not pleasing to Him. When you do something, it needs to be all for Him, not for your own position. God promotes you in His timing, not man, so there is no need to please man, but please God, and then everything will fall into His plan and purpose.
Make sure when you do something that it’s for the intent of His Kingdom, not this world.- When working in the world, you have many opportunities to spread God’s love and His message. Whether it be the way you talk and live your life, or if you have a conversation about Him, people should be able to tell that there is something different about you. Everything you do here on earth has an eternal impact one way or another. What happens in this life will transfer over into eternity. We have to build up His Kingdom on earth, rather than worrying about this temporal world. This life is short, so we must not waste it being comfortable and pleasing the people around us, because ultimately, we are not accountable to them, but to God.
When you do something, make sure it lines up with the Bible rather than man’s standard.- This may be the hardest things to do in this era of history. With all the controversy over different biblical principles, it’s imperative that we as Christians stand up for the things of the Bible, not the things that the world says is ok. We have to keep feet planted in the Word of God so when a situation arises, we know how to respond, so that we will please God, rather than man.
These things can all be very difficult, but being a servant of Christ was never intended to be easy. The world doesn’t understand us, even though our human nature wants to fit in and be understood. Take heart in this-“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12). God wants workers who will stand up against the world and make a difference for His Kingdom, for those wanting to please Him rather than win the approval of people. He is the One who give us our very next breath, let us use that breath to please Him.
Prayer: God, forgive me when I try to please the people of this world rather than You. Let my mind be concerned with Your view of me only. Give me the strength to live in Your Spirit and live a pleasing life that brings all the glory back to You. Thank You for sending Jesus, Your perfect Son, so that I can be forgiven when I fall short of Your standard. In Jesus’ Name alone I pray, amen.
Scripture Reflections:
John 17:16- “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.”
Acts 5:29- “Peter and the other apostles replied: “’We must obey God rather than human beings!’”
Romans 11:36- “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.” (NLT)
Ephesians 2:10- “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (NLT)
As always, glory to God! Please feel free to comment via the comments box, or connect with me via Facebook or the "Contact Me" box on the new "Contact Me" tab. Please enjoy a couple songs that I've selected that go with this theme below.
Until next time,
Stephanie
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