Approval

Approval

Galatians 1: ⁶ I am surprised at you! In no time at all you are deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ, and are accepting another gospel. ⁷ Actually, there is no “other gospel,” but I say this because there are some people who are upsetting you and trying to change the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel that is different from the one we preached to you, may he be condemned to hell! ⁹ We have said it before, and now I say it again: if anyone preaches to you a gospel that is different from the one you accepted, may he be condemned to hell!

 

¹⁰ Does this sound as if I am trying to win human approval? No indeed! What I want is God's approval! Am I trying to be popular with people? If I were still trying to do so, I would not be a servant of Christ.

 

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Even after being humiliated by ridicule, I still wanted to fit in. The “in crowd” seemed to have it so easy. “Maybe it will be easier to just be like them.” I thought to myself. I started listening to things that I knew in my heart was wrong, but “everyone else was doing it.”

 

• I felt like a misfit.
• I felt as though I had no place.
• I felt like I was broken and needed to be fixed to be acceptable.

 

Difficult messages were not uncommon for Paul. He spoke sharply against the smooth talkers who said what people wanted to hear. The people had turned away from following JESUS and towards another “gospel” of salvation.  Not once was JESUS mentioned as necessary, but their current solution was spoken above HIS name. Paul sharply condemns those who unknowing speak against CHRIST.

 

My Observations

• Approval from GOD is the highest priority for me.
• Being a servant of CHRIST is necessary for my relationship with HIM.
• Seeking GOD’s wonderful message of love through the death, burial and resurrection of JESUS is unpopular, yet is the path HE desires for me.

 

Winning human approval has come at a cost to me. I mean, the times I went with the “in crowd” that was near me, I blatantly did things GOD said was wrong to do. Then when the hardships of life came, I had nothing to place my hope in. BUT GOD was graceful to give me chance after chance.

 

HE picked me up when I was down and showed me HE loves me even in the middle of my sin. This everlasting love is one I cling onto. It feeds me when life’s circumstances get tough. I gladly will remain in the Gospel of JESUS.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer upset about?
• What approval have you sought and later found out you did not need that sort of approval?
• Will you seek GOD’s approval as a servant of CHRIST and validate your actions through HIS word and be led by the HOLY SPIRIT today?

Wanting to Feel Special

Wanting to Feel Special

1 Corinthians 4: ⁶ For your sake, my friends, I have applied all this to Apollos and me, using the two of us as an example, so that you may learn what the saying means, “Observe the proper rules.” None of you should be proud of one person and despise another. ⁷ Who made you superior to others? Didn't God give you everything you have? Well, then, how can you boast, as if what you have were not a gift?

 

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Stereotypical nerd scenes in movies remind me of my tryout for the little league baseball team. Yes, I was the nerd and I missed catching the ball by a mile. My reflexes were slow and batting prowess slower. I tried out for other groups and was not the star in any of them. “Why can’t I be special?” I thought to myself.

 

• There have been many times when I wanted to fit in.
• There have been many times when I wanted to have a special skill or talent.
• There have been many times when I followed a person who was talented and ridiculed another for their lack of talent.

 

Paul asks a poignant question “Who made you superior to others?” He then asks “Didn’t GOD give you everything you have?” as if to say all gifts come from GOD. “How can you boast, as if what you have were not a gift?”

 

• GOD wants me to recognize my gifts and talents come from HIM.
• GOD wants me to understand that HE raises up other people for HIS purpose.
• GOD wants me to be excited about the way HE made me and the way HE made other people.

 

Looking down on one person and speaking highly of another is something GOD despises. HE made all people and was excited about each individual when HE did it. HE loves when I recognize where my gifts and talents come from. HE also loves when I praise HIM for the gifts and talents HE gave to others. No one can boast when the origin of all talent comes from GOD. I am grateful HE did make me special.

• Do you want to feel special?
• Are you busy trying to be liked by many people?
• Will you stop chasing the spotlight and thank GOD for the talent you and others have today?

Crowd Pleasers

Mark 15: ⁶ Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. ⁷ And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. ⁸ Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. ⁹ But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” ¹⁰ For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

¹¹ But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. ¹² Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”

¹³ So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”

¹⁴ Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”

¹⁵ So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

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Uncomfortably I sat at my desk. The shirt had too much starch from the cleaners and the stiff collar was cutting into my neck. When I got back from lunch I looked down and had something on my tie. “Oh no! How am I going to go to the next meeting like this?” I groused.

• There have been times when I wanted to look good in front of people.
• There have been times when I wanted to please the crowd no matter how I truly felt.
• There have been times when I wanted to make a good appearance rather than do what I wanted to do.

The church leaders wanted their way so badly that they would do anything to get it. Pilate was a political puppet, used to officially do the dirty work that was in the church leader’s hearts. They saw their chance may be slipping away so they stirred up the crowd to release a known murderer. The crowd was led to a destructive decision, let Barabbas free.

• GOD wants me to do what is compassionate from HIS perspective.
• GOD wants me to follow HIM even if it is not a popular decision.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS kingdom first which may mean being unpopular.

Seeking to fit in may sometimes be a dangerous road. When the crowd rejects GOD and blames those who follow HIM, I have a serious decision to make. “Do I reject GOD too and fit in or do I be a misfit and follow GOD?” I choose the latter of the two. Following GOD is not always popular, but it it truly worth it!

• Are you trying to please the crowd?
• Do you think it would be better if you fit in rather than following GOD?
• Will you choose GOD over fitting in so HE can guide you to a better place?

Popularity Contest

Matthew 27: ¹⁵ Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. ¹⁶ At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. ¹⁷ So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” ¹⁸ For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

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“Who should I pick for the team?” I asked. I had someone in mind, but figured I would ask the question anyway. A name was given to me that was different than I expected. “I wonder if everyone knows this person” I thought to myself.

• There have been times I have made decisions based on popularity.
• There have been times I have asked the crowd what I should do.
• There have been times I have tried to absolve myself from the decision by asking the crowd.

Going with the crowd seems like a harmless solution sometimes. I mean this way I can have a lot of people vouching for me and I can remain “in favor.” BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD wants me to make the right choice which is sometimes unpopular.
• GOD wants me to stand for what is right not what is popular.
• GOD wants me to follow HIS lead which can sometimes be the most unpopular direction.

Keeping people out of harm and guiding them to belief in CHRIST is very unpopular at times. Pilate had a choice to let JESUS go free and get rid of a well-known felon, but chose the popular route to his demise. GOD wants me to be brave enough to decide HIS way even when it is not popular.

• Are you choosing based on popularity?
• Do you follow the crowd a lot?
• Can you choose this day who you will serve, yourself or JESUS?

Empty Belongings

Matthew 26: ³¹ Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

³³ Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

³⁴ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

³⁵ But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

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“You want to go bowling with us?” was the question posed to me. “Sure!” was my answer and it felt great to be asked. “You want to go drinking with us?” was the question. I had never drunk anything stronger than a cola before so I said “Sure!” I mean it was just to have a little fun. “You want to try this?” “This” being a drug… “No thanks, but maybe I’ll stay and have some sex later” was my thought.

• There were times I wanted to just belong.
• There were times I wanted to simply be with the crowd.
• There were times when I was so lonely that I would hang out with the group I knew was wrong.

Denying my principles was pretty easy to do when I wanted to belong. No one had to know I was trying to follow GOD at that moment. Besides, we are all sinners anyway right? “I deserve to do a little sin right?” Wrong!

• GOD knows I will sin but doesn’t want me to deny HIM in the process.
• GOD knows I will stray but doesn’t want me to pretend I don’t belong to HIM.
• GOD knows I will crave what the world has to offer but doesn’t want me to want the world so bad that I would leave HIM.

Peter was told he would deny JESUS. “What?” Peter exclaimed! No way! JESUS knew that Peter wanted to save himself more than follow HIM. HE knew Peter would follow the crowd at a crucial time versus following GOD. I have done the same. BUT GOD forgives me and I am grateful!

• Are you lonely?
• Do you have a strong desire to belong even to the point where you will deny your relationship with GOD?
• Will you seek GOD today instead of hiding behind the crowd?

In the Spotlight

Ecclesiastes 7: ²¹ Do not pay attention to every word people say,
    or you may hear your servant cursing you—
²² for you know in your heart
    that many times you yourself have cursed others.

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Walking past a group of the “in crowd” I stopped and paused next to them. They were chattering about different subjects that I found relevant and I wanted to be in the clique. I answered a question that was not asked to me and got “looks” from a few people in the group.  Expecting to hear something good, I returned again later. The next time I tried to insert myself into the conversation, I realized a couple of people were talking “about” me and giggling.

• Sometimes I wanted to be part of the crowd a little more than I should have.
• Sometimes I listened in on conversations that I was not welcome.
• Sometimes I eavesdropped when I should have kept to myself.

It is not a bad thing to seek friends, but choose them wisely is what someone taught me. I wanted to be in the spotlight with a crowd of people who did not care about me or anyone else. I was even willing to change my personality in order to fit in with the group. BUT GOD guided me away.

• GOD wants me to join a crowd of people who are serving HIM.
• GOD wants me to accept people the way they are.
• GOD wants me to be the person who brings people together and throw my slanderous tongue away.

Instead of being like people GOD wants me to be like HIM. HE cares infinitely about me and wants me to do the same for HIS people on a smaller scale. GOD wants my tongue to be encouraging and my ears closed to negative conversation. I pick and chose conversations to join in on.

• Are you an eavesdropper?
• Do you listen in on conversations that you may get your feelings hurt?
• Can you step back and add GOD’s discernment to whether you should be listening?
• Will you start your own crowd of followers of GOD?