Upon first glance at this statement, almost any Christian would say, “Of course, I would choose to please God over pleasing men.” That should be the answer for all Christians. Yet, the old saying, “actions speak louder than words,” tells the true story. If you are not a Christian, pleasing God is impossible. In Hebrews 11:6, the writer teaches us that without our faith in Jesus Christ, it is impossible to please God.
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
In Galatians 1:10, Paul asks whether we seek to please man or God. He defends the things he has preached to them by telling them his first desire is to please God. Paul knows what it is like to please men. Before he met Jesus, his life was wrapped up in the praise of men. The people gave him the authority he had; therefore, those are the ones he sought to please. In Acts Act 9:1-2, Saul’s (Paul) chief desire was to eradicate the Christians. This passage was written just after he had stood and held the coats of those who murdered Stephen. “And Saul, yet breathing out threatening’s and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” This way is a reference to those following Jesus.
Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
When Paul meets Jesus on the road to Damascus, his life is never the same. He understood that in his effort to gain the praise of men, he had turned his back on the one true God. He understood that the Son of God was equal to God the Father. His religion and quest for power had led him away from God, not to Him. He sought power, and to gain what he wanted in life, he had to please the people. Paul had deceived himself into thinking all he did was to please God. Instead of seeking God, his religion was a tool to gain what he wanted in life. Now, as a result of meeting Jesus and understanding this truly was the Son of God, everything changed. He knew everything he had heard about Jesus was true. He felt the guilt of his sins and the love of a Savior who forgave Him. He would forever be indebted to Him, and his only goal now is to please Him. As a Jew, he had heard about the Messiah coming all his life. Now, he knew the one that was the Messiah. He knew this Messiah had given His life that he might be free from the penalty of his sins. Paul became the greatest missionary in history to carry the gospel of Jesus. No longer would he seek the praise of men. He would tell the story in hostile environments and in those where they were ready to receive it. Nothing but death would stop him from proclaiming the plan of salvation for his Savior. He knew the urgency of getting the gospel out to those who had never heard.
In I Thessalonians 2:2-8, Paul gives them these words to show where his allegiance lies “But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so, we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tried our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherished her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.”
I long to please my Savior. To be a Paul in our modern world. I desire to win as many people as God will allow by living a life of surrender to Him. I do not want religion, as some would see religion. I want a relationship with Him that will supersede any other relationship. I want a relationship so in tune with Him that those I come in contact with will not doubt that I do not want the praise of men but the favor of God. This, too, should be the desire of every Christian. God loved us enough that he was willing to spare the life of His Son. We should love Him enough that we love what He loves. He loves everyone and wishes that no one should perish. While I have not been called to circle the globe and tell others about Jesus, He has given me a mission field where I am. Everyone I come in contact with, at the grocery store, on the street, in recreation, or wherever there are people in my presence, is my mission field. God gives us these opportunities to see if we desire Him more than anything else. We should not be embarrassed or shy about telling people about a life they can have that is beyond their wildest dreams. Where do you stand? Are you more concerned about what others think about you than you are about what God knows about you? Seek to please Him, not your flesh or anyone else. Seek the praise of God, and when you stand before Him, you will not be ashamed. You will hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21
