Check Your Motives

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

This question stated by the writer of Galatians was a rhetorical question, as he provides the answer in the same verse. But what if it wasn’t? What if we really asked our selves:

“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?”

Or

“Am I trying to please men?”

With honest answers to these two questions come our inner motives and the reason why we act/react in particular ways. From personal experience I have reacted differently to my teacher’s instruction than instructions from my employers. I assume the reason behind this is school is a requirement and the rewards seem marginal. Employment has always been desired and the rewards come in the form of a check every two weeks. Now substitute the word “Christianity” for “school” and maybe this describes you.

Religion has for two long been an act of obligation, rather than desire. Our lives become about ‘keeping up with the Jones’ (well now its Kardashians’), but maintaining that requirement of religion. But does this fulfill God’s desire for us? For others it has become taboo to be about God’s approval, because it seems impossible. In both cases we have it all wrong.

Christ came, died, and gave us new life. Through Christ we are called to gain the approval of God on very simple terms. First, accept Christ as the Son of God and as your personal savior. Second, love God (largely because he first loved us and extended us Grace received through Jesus). Third, love Others (this happens through forgiveness, patience, and sharing Jesus with others).

So are you still trying to please men? Why not try pleasing God for a change? It just might change you.

~ by Brad Raburn on June 5, 2008.