the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Grace for Today
Luke 16:15
Do we seek the approval of men or the approval of God?
Read 1 Peter 2:1-25
Most of the people I meet are very concerned about the opinions which other people have about them. They want to impress men with their religious zeal and devotion. And most of their deeds of religious service, dress codes and restrictions of life are designed to impress men. They want the approval of men. They think that if they can win the approval of men they will have the approval of God. But our Lord tells us most plainly that it is not so: ‘For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God’ (Luke 16:15). Those who seek the approval of men by their ‘religious behavior’ are likely to attain the praise of men. It is not really too hard to impress men. ‘Verily I say unto you, they have their reward’ (Matthew 6:2).
Do not misunderstand me. It is important for believers to be blameless in their behavior before men. ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven’ (Matthew 5:16). But we must not be motivated by a desire to impress men and win their approval. Neither can we allow the customs and traditions of self-righteous religious people to govern our lives, bringing us into their bondage (Galatians 5:1; Colossians 2:16-23). I want to honor God, my blessed Father, in my life. I want continually to honor him in thought, in word and in deed. I want to represent my Savior faithfully before men. And I want to live in a manner that will adorn the gospel of Christ. The way to do this, I am convinced, is to walk before God and men in love, honesty, integrity and faithfulness in all things, both earthly and spiritual (Colossians 3:1-3; Titus 2:5-14). But I am not nearly so much interested in men and women seeing Jesus in me as I am in knowing that Almighty God sees me in Jesus. My heart’s concern is not that I may win man’s approval, but rather that I may have God’s approval. And God’s approval is won only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. God approves of his Son and approves of all who are in his Son (Philippians 3:8-10).
