S) "10 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."
Galatians 1:10 (NASB)
O) Paul was reminding the church to remain faithful to the gospel as he received it, and as he first gave it to the Galatian church. He warned them not to receive any gospel preached that was contrary, and that a preacher such as that should be accursed. Then comes this seemingly unrelated verse. But, what Paul is really reminding them with this verse, is that the real gospel will get them in trouble. There are always masses of people who don't want the truth, who want to deny the power and legitimacy of the gospel. In an effort to please them, to "draw them in," there is a temptation to distort the gospel. There is a temptation to make it more palatable to people who don't actually want it. Paul was, therefore, defending himself and reassuring the church, that he will continue to preach the actual gospel, even when it displeases men, because his obedience to Christ defines everything he does, or else he wouldn't be a Christian at all.
A) This is a very convicting verse. In the context of this verse, when I realize that I am a man, then it puts my selfish desires and fears in direct conflict with my obedience to Christ Jesus. That is to say, am I going to do what the world wants, what I want, or what Jesus wants? Am I going to give my testimony, but edit it because of fears of how people will react, fears about how it will make me look? In context, as Paul said in the few verses before this, I must be prepared to preach the gospel, to share the truth from the Bible, no matter what. But, this verse also reminds me (and is confirmed through many other verses), that I must deny myself in favor of Christ. When I ask myself the question, "Am I striving to please men?" I need to be asking at that same time, "Am I striving to please myself?" That is the normal, human thing to do. That's why Paul said, "if I were still trying," because that's who he was, even as a Pharisee. That's who I was in the world, unabashedly trying to please men (whether myself or others, on some level). Instead, though, I must remember that I do not belong to myself. I was purchased at a price. I am therefore the bond-servant, the slave, of Jesus Christ, and joyfully so.
P) Father, there is no God except You. There is no life, no promise, no hope, except in You. You are holy, compassionate, full of lovingkindness and grace. There are elements of the gospel that are hard to accept or understand. The way You balance grace and mercy. The way You balance justice and free-will. The way You relate to Yourself in the trinity. The way that faith works with obedience, and obedience works with faith. These things are difficult to understand and accept, especially for people entrenched in the world's way of thinking. But God, I know the truth, that Your way is the only way that holds life. Your way is the only way that holds promise. Your way is the only way that holds hope. If I am trying to change the gospel, to tailor it, to make it easier to accept, then I am not preaching the gospel. If I am living my life to please myself, then I am not living it to please Jesus Christ, my Lord, my King, my Master, my Savior. Do whatever it takes, Father, to discipline me. Correct me, restrain me, rebuke me, let me suffer, if that's what it takes to help me mature and to walk in the submissive obedience, the fearless honesty, that You are asking of me. In everything, I want You to be glorified, exactly as You want to be. I never want to misrepresent You, with my words or my actions. Let my life honor Your name. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) This is a very convicting verse. In the context of this verse, when I realize that I am a man, then it puts my selfish desires and fears in direct conflict with my obedience to Christ Jesus. That is to say, am I going to do what the world wants, what I want, or what Jesus wants? Am I going to give my testimony, but edit it because of fears of how people will react, fears about how it will make me look? In context, as Paul said in the few verses before this, I must be prepared to preach the gospel, to share the truth from the Bible, no matter what. But, this verse also reminds me (and is confirmed through many other verses), that I must deny myself in favor of Christ. When I ask myself the question, "Am I striving to please men?" I need to be asking at that same time, "Am I striving to please myself?" That is the normal, human thing to do. That's why Paul said, "if I were still trying," because that's who he was, even as a Pharisee. That's who I was in the world, unabashedly trying to please men (whether myself or others, on some level). Instead, though, I must remember that I do not belong to myself. I was purchased at a price. I am therefore the bond-servant, the slave, of Jesus Christ, and joyfully so.
P) Father, there is no God except You. There is no life, no promise, no hope, except in You. You are holy, compassionate, full of lovingkindness and grace. There are elements of the gospel that are hard to accept or understand. The way You balance grace and mercy. The way You balance justice and free-will. The way You relate to Yourself in the trinity. The way that faith works with obedience, and obedience works with faith. These things are difficult to understand and accept, especially for people entrenched in the world's way of thinking. But God, I know the truth, that Your way is the only way that holds life. Your way is the only way that holds promise. Your way is the only way that holds hope. If I am trying to change the gospel, to tailor it, to make it easier to accept, then I am not preaching the gospel. If I am living my life to please myself, then I am not living it to please Jesus Christ, my Lord, my King, my Master, my Savior. Do whatever it takes, Father, to discipline me. Correct me, restrain me, rebuke me, let me suffer, if that's what it takes to help me mature and to walk in the submissive obedience, the fearless honesty, that You are asking of me. In everything, I want You to be glorified, exactly as You want to be. I never want to misrepresent You, with my words or my actions. Let my life honor Your name. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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