Approval

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

Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

We all long for approval. Yet we should seek the approval of people because there's always going to be people who disapprove of us. It's best to focus on seeking God's approval.

Focusing on people pleasing is the wrong emphasis. People have all sorts of ulterior motives and don't necessarily have our best interests at heart. God on the other hand wants what's best for us.

Paul wasn't a cantankerous person who didn't care what people thought of him and was awkward for its own sake. He just knew that God's acceptance is what really matters. So he sought to do right by God rather than to try and flatter people.

Christ commissioned Paul as His servant. He wasn't around to serve other people for their own sakes. He served others only insofar as that was Christ's will.

'God, please help us to seek Your approval above all. We're so grateful because we're accepted in the Lord Jesus Christ. Please help us to trust in Him, in His name we pray, amen'

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