Galatians 1:10
“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.”
What
a question to be confronted with early in the morning, it implies we once were
not, but now we may be seeking man’s approval, or we may be seekers of God’s approval. So the question must be asked, can I please
man and God? What can we learn to watch
out for in our ministry, with our neighbors, business associates, and our
families in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians?
As Paul ministers to the Thessalonians, we can learn from Paul’s good
example what to look for in our ministry.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6, “For our appeal
does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as
we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man,
but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God
is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether
from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of
Christ.”
Warning
signs to look for in your ministry: if you always flatter others what are your
heart motives for so doing? Is it so
that others will hold you in high esteem, if so, you should watch out you may
be seeking man’s approval over Gods? No
pretext for greed, as a person called by God, for it is so easy to make sure
your friends are the ones that have money, who can invite you to the nice place
that your income could never afford. And
the last warning sign; wanting the glory of others, of all listed above this is
most dangerous, for we find Satan wanted to be exalted, he wanted the worship
that only God has a right to.
The
apostle Paul passes on this council from the Holy Spirit, to all who are in
Christ, first to wives, then to husbands, then children and last to
Bondservants, these are his words: “obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not
by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing
the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You
are serving the Lord Christ.”
Nowhere
is the Spirit of God telling us not to please others, the danger comes when our
hearts do it for our own gain. Once more,
the apostle Paul sharing with us from the Spirit of God, has this council for
us; “just as I
try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage,
but that of many, that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians
10:33) One last word to the church, we
are all called into the ministry, some like me got to masquerade as a
salesperson, others are doctors, even lawyers, plumbers, homemakers, and many
other occupations, like preachers and maybe a few as politicians. But all of us should have as our goal 1
Corinthians 11:1, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
From
the Back Porch,
Bob
Rice
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