Pleasing God or Man?
Despite what anyone may say, it is still true that many people do what they want to do. If for the very least, they tolerate a condition in hopes of a reward or better circumstances.
In Galatians 1:10 we read: "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ."
While people want to be accepted and liked in order to fit into society, their greatest desire is that they can do whatever they want to do, and not told they can not do it.
Sometimes, to get what we want, we must please others. It might be the boss. We know if we upset the boss we may not get a raise or better working conditions. So we try our best to impress the boss to make him feel that your services are invaluable to him. By doing your best, you can secure your future employment.
Sometimes we must please family so we feel we must sacrifice time, money, and effort towards pleasing them. A husband does not want to disappoint his wife. Remember the saying: "If momma ain't happy, nobody's happy"? Well there is a thread of truth there. For the most part people try not to make waves and avoid conflict.
There are times when a person will not acknowledge a relationship with Christ. Why? Because doing so would bring persecution, and mocking, and bitterness their direction. So to avoid any problems many people who claim to be Christians just fail to mention their relationship with God when they are around others. How sad.
The relationship with God and Christ is the greatest in all of human history, and so many people are ashamed of being a Christian that they just fail to promote themselves as that good and proper light that they should be.
Somewhere along the line, people got things all out of whack. Instead of trying to please God in everything, they seek to please others and themselves more than God. There should be an obvious line drawn that people lay down so as to not cross over that line. The line of truth and righteousness should separate from evil and darkness. Some would rather have the darkness and evil in their lives, than to please God by obedience.
Many denominations have allowed people to get what they want, and when people want something new, they just vote it in. Perhaps a few will want to say that the Bible does not allow such, and thus you have a division and separation.
There should be no doubt that if one is a true Christian that they will live a life which is called exemplary. This can only happen if one is diligent to make sure they are living right in the sight of God so as to please Him.
This is the challenge given to all. If we try to blend into the world so that we can please men; if we try to feel the emotional things to convince ourselves that we are OK; we cannot be pleasing to God if we are seeking the satisfaction of others or ourselves.
Pleasing God should be the number one goal of everyone. Especially those who claim to have a relationship with Christ by wearing His name. As Jesus said, you cannot serve God and mankind.
By Carey Scott

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