Approval by Christ: Perspective Sets Priorities

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

Cause/Effect

What force motivates you to take certain actions? There are times path A and path B conclude path C without any differences. Do I start walking with my right foot or my left foot? Does it matter our pronunciation of tomato? However, most decisions we make do have cause and effect. This action will cause- this outcome. In the midst of making decisions, whose approval do we seek?

Approval

Where there are people, people want to be accepted. Our attempt to be accepted by people, seeks man’s approval. I never gave much thought to this growing up. Thankful I was secure in a wonderful church taught truth by pure-hearted individuals. Not until I married did I find myself not fitting in anywhere. Hindsight is always 20-20. God pulled then decided to push me into my new season. It felt like I hit an abrasive wall. Refinement of all things. I struggled to stay attached to my old. I liked it there, it was comfortable. People loved me. I loved them. By this time not seeking approval by men, concluding approval of self- creating self righteousness. It was not pretty.

Perspective

During refinement’s transformation, we gain perspective in setting God-pleasing priorities. That abrasive wall turned on me rubbing and grinding away all hardness leaving a polished vessel to serve God with a pure heart. Looking back on my experience, it’s now easy to recognize. If you are going through tough- uncomfortable times, God likely is refining you for a greater purpose. I do not necessarily believe we arrive going through one refinement season. For every new step in developing a stronger relationship with Jesus, we hit learning curves. Our knowledge, wisdom, and understanding grow and it’s like we’re expanded. People who do not understand this, will be ones reminding of our old. Yet, our approval is not with men. Our approval is now seeking to please Christ. If we are approved by Christ, then we are covered by God’s promises. More we study God’s Word, more equipped we become to understand.

Be encouraged!