Joel M Bradshaw

4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.–1 Thessalonians 2 

Paul’s basic argument was this. God approved of him and the ministry he did. That was enough for Paul. All of his life was therefore to be approved by God and not others. It’s as if Paul was on stage with only Jesus in the audience. Only God’s opinion mattered to Paul.

But now take this to the way you live your life. There are people in your life that you want them to respect you or approve of you. You might want an attaboy or attagirl from them most of all. It’s very tempting to live for their approval. I know I struggle with this and I bet you do too.

Paul didn’t live for that approval from his peers. We shouldn’t either. Imagine if each of us lived each day just to serve God. How would our social media posts look? Our friendships, parenting, marriages, work life?

You might even fear the disapproval of others. If this is you, then at some level this describes you as fearing others more than you fear God. And other people can’t test the heart, but God can. We need to live life on his terms, in his way, and for his approval. Short, but challenging post today. As always, I have a lot to work on or to stay intentional about in this area.–JMB