IQ #250 Whose approval are you seeking?

My Dear friends, followers of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, may this day and days to come, bring you closer to God our Father, the King of all kings who gives you His mercy, grace and love to all who call on His name.

Galatians 1:10

¹⁰ 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.

In the opening words of Galatians 1:10 Paul states, ^“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?”  It centers upon the change in Paul since his conversion. His life was now about spreading the Word of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Yes, there was opposition to Paul, and those antichrists were trying to make others believe he was only trying to please men, but, Paul held his ground. His new life ‘now’ was his evangelism for God and only for God.

Every morning when I check for messages on my cell phone I am first greeted by the day’s scripture reading from the Bible app I have on my phone. When I read today’s scripture (Galatians 1:10) it really struck a nerve. Why am I serving in youth ministry and who am I serving? When I am serving in any area of the Christian ministry is it for personal gain, pleasing others or am I strictly serving God in all areas of ministry seeking only His approval?

Honestly, I am guilty of wanting to hear when I have done something good for someone, especially if it has helped steer them toward a relationship with Jesus Christ, or strengthened their faith in God. I am also guilty of wanting to please people and make them happy and maybe laugh at the jokes and puns I share, since there is quite enough junk in everyone’s lives that bring us all down. I even enjoy getting ‘like’d on Facebook posts. Don’t we all?

Affirmation, encouragements and ‘likes’ are good to receive as it helps brighten our days and they do give you a feeling of acceptance and a certain amount of motivation.

However, when it comes right down to it, when it comes to being a true servant of God, it is God’s approval that becomes the most hoped for.

When you keep your focus on God, hearing praises or getting ‘likes’ will not mean as much as gaining God’s approval.. If focus is lost it is real easy to start thinking, “What’s in it for me?” As a Christ follower the main purpose is to serve God.

My prayer and hope for you, whom I share my ministry with, is that you may gain a better insight of who God is and the power and love that he has and gives to you and how you can be a better servant to God.

Look at all the areas of ministry that you take part in and ask yourself, “Why am I doing this? What am I hoping to gain? Who am I really serving?

As the apostle Paul said in the last part of verse 10, “If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”  Where is your ministry leading you ‘now’?

Whose approval are you seeking?

Find time to get alone with God and his Word. Pray to God. Ask God to lead you in being a righteous servant.

With the love of Jesus Christ,

Papa John 11:5:15