It makes more sense to please God

Seek God's approval and then let the chips fall where they may

God's Approval Is Its Own Reward

There may be times when the person who is being obedient to God will feel like a lone voice crying in the wilderness. Obedience to God may not be popular, it may go against the prevailing norms of a particular culture. Obedience to God may, by some measures, be costly.

It’s alright, though, because obedience to God is right.

I’ve observed Christian leaders who seemed to be seeking pity from others for their willingness to be obedient to God during times when it was difficult to be obedient to God. In fact, I hate to admit it but I’ve probably done that myself on a few occasions.

There is no need to take pity on the person who is being obedient to God, even if the person faces significant obstacles or difficulty. God’s approval is what matters. God’s love will sustain. God’s grace is sufficient. God is good!

The joy of pleasing the One whose opinion matters most is its own reward.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 1 Cor. 12:9

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Does Jesus Offer Rest Or More Hoops To Jump Through?

Lately—when I’ve read books that have to do with Christian living—I’ve frequently had the feeling that I’m being scolded for not doing enough. I know the folks who are writing these books mean well; they are smarter than me; and the points they are making have validity. But after a while it seems to me the God who is being presented is sort of like an incredibly demanding boss who is impossible to please, however, I need to ramp up my efforts and keep trying to please Him anyhow.

(I know, some of this is probably a reaction that has a lot to do with me and my own fears, faults, inadequacies, guilt feelings and other psychological stuff.)

Maybe this is why I read a certain passage of scripture tonight and it brought great joy to my heart. I have read this passage many times before—in fact I have read it numerous times for others in an effort to bring them words of comfort and peace—but tonight was different. I seemed to be primed to take in this truth in a fresh way and delight in the God who actually offers me rest, not more hurdles to jump through.

Here is the verse, the words are spoken by Jesus:  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

Prayer:  “Thank you, Lord. I needed to read this verse today and I am deeply grateful for the truth of what it says. Amen.”

Other People's Opinions And Obeying God

I hate to admit it but I am often too concerned with the opinions of others.  So, the following challenge is for me as much as anyone else who may be reading this.  

Challenge: Be more concerned with pleasing God and being obedient to Him than with trying to please people.  (After all, we can never keep all the people in our lives pleased, anyhow.)  God’s opinion is what ultimately matters.  His opinion infinitely outweighs everyone else’s opinion!

Speaking Up For God

When we speak up for God there will be people who will want to shame, or mock, or embarrass us.  They will point out the failings and hypocrisy of others who have spoken up for God.  They will try to make the case that there are more urgent issues in our world than this silly God stuff.  Speak up for God, anyhow.  Speak lovingly.  Speak humbly.  Speak graciously.  Remember that life, relatively speaking, is very short and we will soon discover that pleasing God is more important than anything else.

Pleasing God

It’s a simple truth, but sometimes—in the give and take of life—we lose sight of it.  The truth is this: it is far more important that we do what pleases God than that we do what pleases people.

Pleasing God

We will never please all the people in our lives.  It’s impossible. (You’ve noticed, right?) This reality helps to remind me that I shouldn’t even try to please all the people in my life.  In fact, the main objective should be to please the One who really matters: God.  Here’s a good prayer for me:  “Lord, I want to do your will. Holy Spirit give me the power to live for you. I want my life to give you pleasure, Lord.”

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Do You Want To Be Perceived As "Cool"?

The culture in which we live, or the opinions of the people we know will tend to have increasing influence on us to the degree that we hope to be perceived as “cool”.  So serious followers of Jesus are challenged to care more about God, and trusting Him and pleasing Him, than we care about being hip, or popular, or culturally savvy, or cool.