FREED FROM PEOPLE-PLEASING

FREED FROM PEOPLE-PLEASING

(Saturday, November 25)

“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 accursed. 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.” (Gal 1:8-10)

And once again, my friends, as I read today’s Epistle I am surprised by the quite radical freedom passed down to us, in the faith of the Apostles. It is certainly not a faith based on *obedience* to any or all church authority, not even that of “an angel from heaven.” Nor is it based on “seeking to please men,” even those with the highest authority to preach in our churches. Here the Apostle Paul professes and teaches us a decisive fidelity to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Who liberates us from misplaced obedience as we become His “bondservants.”

Let me re-focus on His voice this Saturday 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 You call me to this Saturday, 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)