One day while Jesus was speaking with the religious leaders He said, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). The intent of His message was to point out that we should live our lives in a way pleasing to God regardless of the impact it may have on others. This is not to say that we should not care what others think and feel, but we should not let those thoughts or feelings deter us from doing God’s will in spite of the objections of others. We as Christians should have, “regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Corinthians 8:21). However, what is pleasing to God must always come first in our lives. “Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
Paul wrote, “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). Furthermore, when Peter was confronted by the Sanhedrin concerning preaching the gospel he simply said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Many who make the claim to be followers of Jesus are in truth seeking personal glory, recognition, and honor from men in the name of Christ, “For they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God” (John 12:43). Christians must learn to live for and give all glory to our Father in heaven and “Not by way of eye service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:6). If we truly want to honor God, we must live our lives to please Him and not men.
Paul wrote, “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). Furthermore, when Peter was confronted by the Sanhedrin concerning preaching the gospel he simply said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Many who make the claim to be followers of Jesus are in truth seeking personal glory, recognition, and honor from men in the name of Christ, “For they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God” (John 12:43). Christians must learn to live for and give all glory to our Father in heaven and “Not by way of eye service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:6). If we truly want to honor God, we must live our lives to please Him and not men.
