Who are you pleasing?
It is my prayer for each and every one of us that these few moments together will be a time of encouragement but also a time to challenge each one of us to walk more faithfully with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Several years ago I heard the story of a young brilliant concert pianist. He was giving his first professional performance of his career. As he play skillfully and brilliantly the audience sat in rapt attention, absorbing every note. Finally at the end of a magnificent performance the audience exploded in a standing ovation. In the midst of the ovation the young pianist left the stage shoulders downcast, crest fallen and dejected.
The stage manager came to him full of congratulations and praise but the young musician remained despondent. “I am no good” the young man exclaimed. “It was a failure”. The stage manager responded, “nonsense. It was tremendous, everyone is on their feet and applauding, except for just one old man.” The young concert pianist replied, “yes, but that old man is my piano teacher.”
This story should remind us that our service to Jesus Christ is to be motivated by one factor and one factor alone; Our love for the Master, His Word and His approval. For there are many in their Christian walk, who look for and seek the approval of men and those around them. For you see, society wants and measures success by power, position, prestige and numbers. They seem to say if you dress just so, drive this make of car, join the right health club, live in the right part of town, or are seen by just the right people you will be considered accepted and “in”.
However, we must remember the words of Jesus. He said, if there are any of us who desire to be “great” in the kingdom of God, we must become a slave, a servant to others. God is not looking for the right address, or the right clothes in the latest styles, or even the right vocabulary. God’s eyes are searching for the right heart. His eyes are moving to and fro throughout the world looking for those who want to be a servant.
Remember, in John 13 that Jesus told his disciples that if He was willing to be a servant by washing their feet that their greatest desire should be to serve one another.
Therefore, in our obedience, our worship and our service the applause and approval of men really means nothing. Only what Jesus says will be the deciding factor. Under the threat of imprisonment, the apostle Peter responds in Acts 5:29, “we must obey God rather than men.”
So as we travel this highway called life under the umbrella of Christianity, we must remember that “the master is in the audience.” As Christians we are called to follow the Master, Jesus Christ. Yes, not even the government, when it goes against our Lord Jesus or God’s Holy Word. We are not to follow man-made traditions, philosophies or even religions. As Christians we are called to listen and follow ONE voice. The Master!
So, here’s your Bible Boost for today.
1Th 2:4 “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.”
Pastor Leonard Navarre
Valley View Christian Church, Edgewood, NM
“encouraging you to walk and live seeking the approval of God rather than men.”
Pastor Dewey Moede Note: I took the picture of the stained glass window at the First Baptist Church in Reserve, NM! PTL!
