Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. I want you to know, brothers that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up…But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returning to Damascus (Gal 1:10,15-17 NIV)

The hardest thing about being a Christian is living for the one who brought you salvation. I mention this because when you make a declaration of faith, it becomes almost every Christian’s business to tell you what they think you should and not do. Remember that I said ALMOST. Rightly, they are helping you understand what it means to live as a Christian. My only problem with that fact, is that we all have different views of practicing our Christian faith, especially when it comes to applying the words into our daily life.

What I would like to say is that we become followers of Christ because we have seen his life and the importance of his mission, which was to save us. It is a beautiful achievement for everyman to recognize that sacrifice that was made just for him. However, that does not mean you should win man’s approval to tell you that you are a Christian. Paul himself announced all that he did before he was converted by our Lord Jesus. He did not seek the apostles’ opinion for him to know if he was qualified to be God’s servant. His actions spoke for themselves. Sometimes we Christians fail to see that it is not our duty to make a list of Dos and Don’ts. God himself has given to us in the 66 book letter he wrote. I do not mean, we cannot gently guide a brother or sister back into the word, but we are not the judge of their characters.

If your job as a Christian is to seek the approval of men and not the one who sent you, then like Paul, I can do nothing but pray for you. When God called me before I even knew him and how much he loves me, I heard his voice, but didn’t recognize it. From a very young age, I was trying not to please people. I hated being used by everyone. I hated being a bridge between people with misunderstandings and I hated telling on people. I came across a story of a young Christian man who had witnessed something a student did. He didn’t report it, and when he was asked why, he said “I was not enrolled into this University to tell on my friends. Besides, you didn’t ask me. So I had no obligation to tell you anything.” From his boldness, I decided, I was not going to follow the majority and do what everybody else thought was cool in the eyes of many. When I finally came to understand the full implications of what it means to be saved, I decided to run to the source itself, which is the Bible. The more time I spent in God’s presence and his word, he gave me wisdom, knowledge and understanding. When I walk down the streets and see the damage on the faces I pass, I pray for them because they might not know how much Jesus loves them.

What I am emphasising here is that your Bible is the best teacher you will ever have. Your fellow Christians may be experienced and have much advise to give you, but that should not be your only source of knowledge. You have eyes, a brain and hands that God gave you. Read your Bible and seek direction on how to live your life. God gave you all the material you need for your mission. Like Paul, I will listen to my fellow brothers and sisters, but the voice inside of me that I know is from the Holy Spirit shall be my counsellor and intercessor. My decisions are not made by man, and I don’t have to please man to know that I am accepted. I don’t have to have a vision that they approve of or one that earns enough money for everyone to benefit. My mission is not for man’s approval, but God’s approval and my joy and happiness. It might sound selfish and wrong, but I would like to encourage each and every one of you to have a vision and mission that does not rely on people’s approval, but what God has put on your heart. Not everyone will go with you, and it is ok. When Jesus said, pick up your cross and follow me, he did not say carry a truck load of opinions from people as well. He said for you to put everything behind. Please don’t misunderstand me. God used prophets to speak to his people, and it is acceptable to listen to the wisdom around you. What I am saying you don’t need their approval to do what God had called you to do. Not everyone will approve of it. All the answers you need to your questions lie with him who called you in the first place. When you take the time and are not rushing out the door to different appointments, you will understand the letters he has written to you.

What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall he teach the way he shall choose… The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him… Psalm 25:12, 14 KJV

When God sets out to teach man, He chooses His students on the basis of character- not intellectual ability, or academic degrees, or social standing. He looks for an inner attitude of the heart toward Himself: Reverent submission and respect.

Furthermore, God sets the curriculum. He teaches such a man “in the way that he (God) shall choose.” Often this is not the way we would choose for ourselves. We might incline toward themes of prophecy or revelation that seems profound, whereas God’s curriculum might focus on what is humble and down-to-earth: service, sacrifice, faithfulness.

For those who submit to God’s instruction, there is a wonderful reward: “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him.” In human relationships, we share our secrets only with those we trust. Likewise, when God shares His secrets with us, it is proof we have earned His trust. It is our certificate of graduation.

This is beautifully illustrated in the relationship of Jesus to His Disciples. After He had put them through three years of rigorous discipline, He told them: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” ( John 15:15). First, Jesus Himself learned from the Father through perfect submission to Him. Then He in turn passed on all He had learned from the Father to those who submitted in like manner to Him.

God still chooses His students on the same basis. Neither His requirements nor His curriculum have changed.

Faith’s Response

Lord, I desire to be such a student that in your time you will share your secrets with me.

PS: I want to be a student that does what my Father in heaven teaches me. I know my mission like Paul knew his and I shall go after it, with God as my only sense of direction. No man or woman can stop the rhythm of my heart that has been beating since the day I was called and set apart by God.