Honorbound Devotions
Whose Approval Do We Seek?
by George Fessler
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"Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying
to
please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a
servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10, NRSV).
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In the background of Paul's question in this verse are reports given
to him that some people were attacking his apostleship, accusing him particularly
of changing his message to win the favor of whatever audience he had at
the time. They likely said that when Paul moved in Jewish circles he preached
compliance with circumcision and the Mosaic Law, but that when he came
to Galatia he softened his message by dropping the Mosaic requirements
to be more popular among the Gentiles and to win more
followers.
Paul answers his own question by declaring that he would not be Christ's
servant if he sought popularity. If he had changed his message to win more
human favor, he would have been unfaithful to his apostolic calling. To
bring this single verse into focus for our lives requires some honest introspection
-- whose approval are we seeking? On a personal level, am I really trying
to please God or people? It is easy to become a "people-pleaser," whose
actions are swayed by the opinion or judgment of the crowd. But as Os Guiness
once expressed it, we "play to an audience of One,"and our guiding priority
should be to be solely His servant.
Prayer response: Father, I come just as I am today into your presence.
I confess that I've been tempted to seek the approval of those whom I especially
esteem or admire. Please forgive my tendency to play to
other audiences besides you, and keep me true to yourself. Grant
me a servant's heart in my attitude and actions. I humbly pray in the name
of your Son, my Savior. Amen.
