Bible In A Year | Read: Galatians 1
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased Galatians 1:10-15
Overview of Chapter
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, a man by the name of Paul became a follower of Jesus. He was sent by God to travel around teaching people about Jesus and starting churches outside of Israel. Since those churches were outside of Israel, many of the people in them were not Jewish. Since all of the initial followers of Jesus were Jewish, there was a controversy over whether non-Jews (Gentiles) could become Christians. Galatians is a letter from Paul written to the church he started in Galatia, which is in what we call Turkey today. Paul is writing this letter to argue that people don’t need to become Jews, signified by being circumcised, in order to become followers of Jesus.
Paul states very strongly that the people are not supposed to accept any other gospel (good news) than the one he preached. It would be natural for someone who disagreed with Paul to ask, “Why should we take his word for it?” Paul begins by describing how he came to trust in Jesus and how his message was given to him directly by Jesus.
Today, we don’t argue about whether people need to become Jews before trusting Jesus, but that doesn’t mean we don’t still want to add things to the gospel. It might be things like: abandon a lifestyle, embrace a belief, join a particular church or go through a ceremony. All of those things may be good things to do, but they aren’t required to trust Jesus. Have you inadvertently wandered into a different gospel?
Thoughts on the verses
If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ – Galatians 1:10b
In an art gallery, a piece of art might be very pleasing and appealing to most of the viewers, however, there will be a group of other viewers who do not really appreciate that piece. Likewise, it is impossible for us to be able to please everyone.
The Bible says that we should aim to please God. So, in everything we do we should do it for God, not for pleasing others or for seeking people’s approval. At times you will have to make a choice between seeking God’s approval or people’s approval, for God’s ways are not men’s ways. As important as it is to strive for a good relationship with others, it is even more important to obey and stay faithful to God.
The Bible says that when we live to please God we will have a full and happy life. Seeking God’s approval will not give us disappointment and frustration.
Action Steps
Bible: What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today aka SWAG.
Prayer
Dear God, help me to remember that Your approval is more important than people’s approval. I want to live to please You Lord. Amen.
Have you ever thought it would be cool to hear some C3 leaders discuss the daily verses, share about their lives and mostly just talk about nonsense? Of course not!…even though nobody has ever thought that we are still doing it. You can follow along with us each morning in a brand new podcast – Thursday Approval & Aaron’s Creepo.
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