Galatians 1:10

10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant  of Christ.

I read this verse yesterday morning, and it stuck with me all day.  I was all excited about posting  the new album review that came out this weekend in Worship Leader Magazine, but after posting the link on Twitter & Facebook I had to stop before I put up on the blog so I could think about it some more.

It is just too easy to desire the approval of man.

I think this is apparent in some professions more so than others, but most of us don’t go through out the day with out doing this.  Which means the “pause” and conviction I  felt is a good thing, but the real focus of this verse that needs to be applied is on being a ‘servant of Christ’. And that is what we should be seeking first. If I am to be a servant of Christ, than all that I do must be to please Him first before trying to please man. The next thing to consider is context…

Here is an excerpt on this passage from the ESV Study Bible Side bar -

“Paul apparently is responding to criticism that he is peddling a gospel received from man, not from God, and that he is doing so simply to please man rather than God. Paul does not simply defend himself out of resentment or wounded pride but shows a pastoral concern: to reassure the Galatians that the gospel they received was the authentic one, not a false message delivered by an untrustworthy messenger.”

And this is why I love the ESV Study Bible. Being able to read into the cultural & historical perspective of the text is very helpful.

So now knowing the context & convicted to check my motives, I can freely make this next post, not to seek your approval, or the editors, but striving to be a Servant of Christ. Committing all that we do to His glory and not our own.