Jewels From Johnনমুনা

Whose Approval Should We Seek? 

When Jesus ministered here on earth, many people followed Him for various reasons: Jesus taught like no one ever did, He performed mighty miracles no eye had ever seen, He fed thousands, He exercised authority over nature and He even raised the dead. 

The multitudes who followed Jesus therefore, did so for various reasons, too. Some genuinely believed, while others just trailed Him with the only intent of finding fault with Him. The very same people who were filled with awe and wonder at all that Jesus did were also part of the crowd that wanted Him to be crucified.  It is, therefore, not surprising that Jesus did not seek men’s endorsement for what He did, or for who He was. The one who looks deep into the hearts of men knew that man is frivolous, and unpredictable.

Strangely, however, we live in an approval-seeking world. For many people, their day is made or broken depending on the number of likes on their status in social media. We study to receive our parents’ approval, work to receive our employer’s approval, and do good to receive people’s commendation. What happens in the bargain is that we are disappointed, and disheartened. If only we can understand who we are in God’s eyes and what His purpose is for our life, we will be totally transformed and our only goal will be to seek the Lord’s validation.

Paul’s exhortations to the Corinthian Church and the Colossian Church are good reminders for all of us: "For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends."2 Corinthians 10:18 (NKJV) and “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people. Remember that the Lord will give you as a reward what He has kept for His people. For Christ is the real Master you serve.” Colossians 3:23, 24 GNT