For do I now persuade men, or God? Or
do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a
bondservant of Christ. Galatians 1:10
At times
you will have to make a choice between pleasing God and pleasing those around
you, for God’s ways are not man’s ways (Isa. 55:8-9). As important as it is to
strive for good relations with others, it is even more important to maintain a
steadfast and obedient relationship with Christ. Disobeying God to keep peace
with other people is never wise. Peace with God is always paramount.
Jesus
warned that obeying Him might cause division in your relationships (Matt.
10:35-36). If Paul’s primary goal had been to please others, he would never
have become an apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul went completely against the wishes
of his colleagues in order to obey Christ. At times, obedience to God sets
family members at odds with each other (Matt. 10:35-36). When you follow Jesus’
Lordship, your family may misunderstand, or even oppose you, yet your obedience
to God reflects your identity as His child. Jesus said that those who obey His
will are His brothers and sisters (Luke 8:21). God does not intend to divide
the home, but He places obedience before domestic harmony.
It is
important to get alone in quietness with God so that you understand what
pleases Him. The world’s thinking will mislead you more easily when you are not
clear about what God desires. It broke Peter’s heart to know that the opinion
of a servant girl had mattered more to him than the approval of his Lord! If
the desire to appease others tempts you to compromise what you know God wants
you to do, learn from Peter’s mistake. Determine that you will please your Lord
regardless of the opinions of others.
Proverbs 29:25
Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
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