FREED FROM PEOPLE-PLEASING
(Friday, December 13)
“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be anathema. For do I now persuade (seek approval of) men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” (Gal 1:8-10)
As I read this passage, I am struck by the freedom of the tradition passed down to us from the Apostles. It is not a tradition based on the authority of, or obedience to, any authority other than that of God, be it apostolic authority or even that of “an angel from heaven.” Nor is the Apostle in his ministry obliged to please the people. Both the church-leaders and their flock are bound by fidelity to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Who liberates us from merely-human codependencies as we become His “bondservants.”
Let me re-focus on His voice this morning, without seeking to “persuade men” or any other voices that might seek to drag me down, or away from the life-affirming Gospel we have received. Lord, help me to help myself, to maintain my heart and my eyes and ears, to focus on the dignifying responsibilities to which You call me today, that I not be exhausted by trying to please everyone. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” (Jn 10:27-28)
