No Longer Swayed…

Verse:

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10). 

Personal Thought:

These words penned by the Apostle Paul written to the churches of Galatia. Previously Saul of Tarsus, the man who persecuted Christians.  In Philippians 3 he says,

⁴ though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else 

thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised 

on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew 

of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; 

as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

He had every reason to be confident in the flesh, basically he was the man!  Until one day on his way to Damascus Jesus intersects his life and literally knocks him to the ground (Acts 9:4).  Nothing like an amazing encounter with Jesus to set you free!  Interestingly enough he is writing to his own sect of men.  The Jewish Christians were imposing the Mosaic Law onto the Gentile Christians he was called to preach to.  Paul knowing fully the grace of God and salvation through Jesus Christ, would not tolerant anyone distorting the gospel.  It didn’t matter who it was.  And he knew being a servant of Christ doesn’t always please others.  No matter what he would not be swayed. 

Honestly I found myself the complete opposite.  Absolutely zero confidence in my own flesh.  Far too often I’ve made decisions in fear of what others thought of me, of not wanting to hurt someone’s feelings, or worry I might offend them.  Needless to say, as you could imagine it back fired in my face more times than it ever did any good.  Just over a year now, God had given me the phrase, Walk in the freedom you have been given!  And so as a servant of Christ I no longer have to be swayed to make poor decisions based on the opinions or approval of others. 

Prayer:

O Sovereign Lord, You planned salvation from the beginning, sending Jesus the way, the truth, and the light to redeem us.  Forgive us Lord so often we don’t want the truth.  Our pride wants to earn its way and receive the glory.  We don’t want to admit that we are sinners, have failed, made mistakes, and fallen short in need of saving. Ironically enough the very truth we don’t want is exactly what sets us free.  Thank you Lord, where your Spirit is, there is freedom.  Holy Spirit, come lead us in Truth.  In Jesus Name, Amen.