SATURDAY January 16, 2021

Are You Pleasing Men or God?

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.
Galatians 1:10

What an Epistle Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia! As an Apostle of Jesus Christ, he made such a great impact in the Church. Paul had a real concern for people. It must have been hard for Paul to see disciples of Christ turning away from the true Gospel of grace to a different gospel. He knew some of the disciples had fallen into the hands and influence of false teachers. These false teachers twisted the Gospel to a gospel of works, whereas Paul preached a Gospel of grace.

Those opposing the truth of the Gospel preached a gospel that pleased men. Paul determined within his heart to preach the Gospel of truth. He did not want to please men, but to please God; otherwise, he would not be a true disciple of Christ––a bondservant. Paul desired for those who had come to Christ in Galatia to share the Gospel of grace with boldness. They should not be intimidated or afraid to speak the truth.

Today, there are pastors who preach a social gospel. They do not want to offend people and refuse to mention the word––sin. These preachers keep everyone comfortable and their churches full, but they will not preach the truth. In doing so, they give people a sense of false security. They please men when they need to please God. I want my preaching to be uncomfortable. Why? I want to see people in heaven and not in hell.

When you disciple a person, you love them and pour into their lives; and when they turn away to another gospel, it is heartbreaking. You know God had touched and anointed their lives. Like Paul, perhaps you have attempted to speak with them. After hearing the lies of Satan and his adversaries, often they will not listen to you. They are trapped. Unless they are rescued by the true Gospel of Christ, they are on their way to hell.

As you make yourself available to be used by God, He will still give you opportunities to share the love of Christ with them––the only Gospel.

But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
~1 Thessalonians 2:4~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!