Whose Opinion Matters Most To You

                                       When The Door Slams

              

For it is not he who commends and praises himself who is approved [by God], but it is the one whom the Lord commends and praises.                                2 Corinthians 10:18 

        It is common for all of us to seek approval for our actions. As children, we longed for the affirmation of our parents. As we grew older, we also valued the opinions of our friends, colleagues, and employers. At times, the esteem of others can claim such importance part that it becomes our way to measure our worth as a person. 

        Paul said that he was not striving to obtain the approval of people. Some of his critics thought their criticisms could determine what he did. Yet these same people were praising themselves for their own opinions and behavior. They were seeking the approval of others, and they were receiving it.

        Jesus said that those who seek to gain the approval of others "have their own reward"   (Matt. 6: 2-5). Paul, too, realized that achieving the praise of others is not difficult, but God's approval is a far greater accomplishment. The affirmation "Well done!" that Jesus received from the Father became Paul's goal as well (2 Tim. 2:3-5). 

        Paul know that self-approval is not hard to attain. Paul himself had once been pleased with his own life, until he came to realize that the righteousness he was so proud of was mere rubbish in the kingdom of God (Phil. 3:8). after his conversion, Paul understood that God's evaluation of his actions was what mattered, not his own opinion of himself.

       Think about this: Whose opinion matters most to you? Have you become complacent, enjoying the approval of those around you? Have you become satisfied with your religion, the way you understand it. The praiseworthy that matters most is the one that comes from God. The pleasure that your life gives to God should be your motivation to live righteously.   

Affirmation: The love of Christ compels me, because I am convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but fir Him who died for them and was raised again (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" (Galatians 3:13).

Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from You will perish; You have cut off all who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, the nearness of God is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works (Psalm 73:25-28). 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

                                                        Never Rest Ministries