Seeking approval?

The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” - Acts 5:27-29

One morning at his normal 8:30 AM staff meeting, President Harry Truman was brought a lavender envelope with a regal wax seal and flowing purple ribbons. Opening it, the President found a letter from the King of Saudi Arabia. The salutation began, “Your Magnificence…”

Truman had a good laugh, and joked with his staff that that’s how he wanted to be addressed from then on. Not long after, however, Truman supported the United Nations’ admission of 100,000 Jews into Palestine. He soon afterward received another letter from the King. This one was on regular letterhead and began, “Dear Mr. President…”

It’s amazing how quickly the people who revere and respect you can quickly change their attitudes when they discover they disagree with you. But it’s in that moment we can make the decision to stand for what we believe is right, or seek the approval of man.

You can’t follow Christ and please everyone. In fact, the Bible guarantees that when we put Christ at the centre of our lives, we’re going to lose the support of some. Make the right decision. Follow Christ first and foremost and seek your approval from Him!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to give you the strength to follow Him first and foremost and seek your approval from Him alone!

Questions for Thought

Have you ever been rejected by someone for taking a stand you know was right?

In times when you’re rejected for your faith, what does God’s Word say to you about who you are in His eyes?