“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
As naturally born sinners, we are selfish. We lack humility, and it is part of our fallen human nature to think highly of ourselves. One’s greatest tragedy is living a life without purpose. However, if you think of it, living with the wrong meaning is so much worse. You may be living your life with a purpose, but it may not be the right one. The truth is, we will never know and enjoy a meaningful life unless we seek God’s approval alone.
When Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Galatia, he understood that not every Christian would live for the right gospel. Some will twist the truth to build a different gospel that will seek the approval of men. They will seek to be more popular rather than faithful. Paul had to speak harshly to these Galatian Christians because it was a trap of the enemy, and they’ve been falling for it.
The difference between a genuine Christian and a counterfeit Christian is why they are doing what they are doing. True followers of Christ do not strive to be righteous to impress people. They strive to be Christlike because that’s what’s pleasing to the eyes of God. However, counterfeit Christians are more concerned with pleasing people rather than the approval of God.
Paul said that if he is trying to please people, he is not a servant of Jesus. When he spreads the gospel, his perspective is that God was his audience. Paul was more concerned about pleasing the Lord, not what the people would say about him. For him, his first obligation is to show reverence for God because he knows that every area of his life belongs entirely to the Lord.
May we be like Paul. May our obedience to God be greater than our desire to seek the approval of people. May our love for them do not cloud our reverence for God. May we understand that we are here to fulfill Christ’s mission: to make disciples who will also make disciples. We are not called to be people-pleasers because they can’t bring us to heaven. Because first and foremost, our call from God is personal and not a conference call that needs the opinion of others.
