Bible League: Living His Word 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.The churches in Galatia had been led astray from the true gospel by some people who, according to the Apostle Paul, "deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ" (Galatians 1:7). They were preaching something that ". . . pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all" (Galatians 1:6-7). Paul's letter to them was an attempt to set them straight. He took a risk in writing the letter, because there was the chance that the churches would not take kindly to receiving his rebuke and correction. It is in this context that Paul wrote our verse for today. He had a choice to make. He could write something that would please the churches and meet with their approval, or he could do the right thing and write a letter of rebuke and correction. He could seek the approval of people, or he could seek the approval of God. The choice he made, obviously, was to seek the approval of God and not the approval of people. The choice Paul had to face is a choice all of us have to face at various points in our walk with God. Shall we live our lives seeking the approval of people, or the approval of God? Stated in this blunt way the right answer to the question seems obvious. However, putting the right answer into practice is not so easy. The temptation to please people is very great. Pleasing God rather than people can sometimes lead to friction and conflict with people. And who wants that? If all we try to do in life, however, is please people and build up a good reputation with them, then we are not really following the example of Jesus Christ. In order to obey the will of God, Jesus "made Himself of no reputation" (Philippians 2:7). Jesus was not concerned about His reputation with people. He was concerned about obeying God. That's why, "He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:8). Placing priority on the approval of people is a sure-fire way to keep us out of the will of God. When the choice must be made, please God---and do the right thing. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Samuel 21, 22 2 Samuel 21 -- The Gibeonites Avenged; Battles with the Philistines NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Samuel 22 -- David's Song of Deliverance NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 22:1-30 Luke 22 -- Preparing the Passover; Jesus Arrested, Disowned by Peter NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.Insight God wants us to view what we have (whether it is much or little) with the right perspective—our possessions are a gift from God. Although they are not the source of joy, they are a reason to rejoice because every good thing comes from God. Challenge We should focus more on the Giver than the gift. We can be content with what we have when we realize that with God, we have everything we need. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 149:4 The Lord taketh pleasure in his people.How comprehensive is the love of Jesus! There is no part of his people's interests which he does not consider, and there is nothing which concerns their welfare which is not important to him. Not merely does he think of you, believer, as an immortal being, but as a mortal being too. Do not deny it or doubt it: "The very hairs of your head are all numbered." "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." It were a sad thing for us if this mantle of love did not cover all our concerns, for what mischief might be wrought to us in that part of our business which did not come under our gracious Lord's inspection! Believer, rest assured that the heart of Jesus cares about your meaner affairs. The breadth of his tender love is such that you may resort to him in all matters; for in all your afflictions he is afflicted, and like as a father pitieth his children, so doth he pity you. The meanest interests of all his saints are all borne upon the broad bosom of the Son of God. Oh, what a heart is his, that doth not merely comprehend the persons of his people, but comprehends also the diverse and innumerable concerns of all those persons! Dost thou think, O Christian, that thou canst measure the love of Christ? Think of what his love has brought thee--justification, adoption, sanctification, eternal life! The riches of his goodness are unsearchable; thou shalt never be able to tell them out or even conceive them. Oh, the breadth of the love of Christ! Shall such a love as this have half our hearts? Shall it have a cold love in return? Shall Jesus' marvellous lovingkindness and tender care meet with but faint response and tardy acknowledgment? O my soul, tune thy harp to a glad song of thanksgiving! Go to thy rest rejoicing, for thou art no desolate wanderer, but a beloved child, watched over, cared for, supplied, and defended by thy Lord. Daily Light on the Daily Path Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,Hebrews 6:19,20 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, • where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Acts 3:21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. 2 Thessalonians 1:10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed-- for our testimony to you was believed. Romans 8:22,23 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. • And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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