For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. — GALATIANS 1:10
What better person to bring our attention to this reality than the apostle Paul himself. He was once the ultimate man-pleaser—a Pharisee. However, after his encounter with the risen Christ, he was completely changed. Our human instinct is to seek to be loved and accepted by others, but as followers of Christ that desire changes to seek to honor and glorify Him in everything.
The born-again person becomes completely new, and can in turn fully understand and agree with that which the apostle Paul writes regarding the former sins and lusts of the believer in 1 Corinthians 6:11, “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” Having been washed, sanctified, and justified, how can we then return to seeking the approval of men? How can we be set on pleasing men, rather than serving Christ?
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What a shame it is when a person who belongs to Christ chases after the fleeting praise and approval of men! In this passage, the apostle Paul points to the absurdity of this pursuit, for it will surely prove fruitless. Note this important truth from the text: it will always be one or the other, the approval of man or of God, pleasing man or serving Christ; there is no middle ground.
What better person to bring our attention to this reality than the apostle Paul himself. He was once the ultimate man-pleaser—a Pharisee. However, after his encounter with the risen Christ, he was completely changed. Our human instinct is to seek to be loved and accepted by others, but as followers of Christ that desire changes to seek to honor and glorify Him in everything. The born-again person becomes completely new, and can in turn fully understand and agree with that which the apostle Paul writes regarding the former sins and lusts of the believer in 1 Corinthians 6:11, “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” Having been washed, sanctified, and justified, how can we then return to seeking the approval of men? How can we be set on pleasing men, rather than serving Christ?
May our hearts be fixed on honoring Christ, exalting His name, and serving only Him. As believers, our affections are to be for Christ, and our ultimate joy is found in a deeper relationship with Him.