Love God Greatly - Galatiansনমুনা

Paul is making it clear that his current passion and mission of his life is to please God. When Paul was persecuting and killing Christians before his encounter with Jesus, his motivation was to seek accolades and praise from the Jewish religious leaders. In essence, he had made himself a slave to the praises of men. Now as a bondservant of Christ, Paul has chosen to surrender his life and his very being to serving the cause of Christ.

Believers have this same choice…pleasing God or pleasing man. Choosing God comes at great sacrifice…ridicule, persecution, exclusion, hatred, spiritual attack. But the reward is one of unfathomable joy, peace, and unity with God.

To whom are you a slave…the praises of men or the praises of God? Whose voice rings loudest in your heart? In what circumstance today can you choose to elevate God’s opinion and His will above all others?

Father God, I thank You for knowing my frame…that I am frail and am simply dust. I thank You for Your forgiveness of my fickleness and my intense desire to be accepted, appreciated, and applauded. Guard my heart and mind from anyone else who seeks to usurp Your rightful place in my heart. Drown out the voices that attempt to speak louder than Yours. Help me to stand strong on Your behalf and to see beyond the temporary pleasure of approval. Remind me that any praise that I receive from people will end at that moment, but Your praise extends into eternity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.