Pleasing Man Or God?

Galatians 1:10b:  "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

As one reads through the book of Galatians, one quickly finds that Paul is deeply concerned for a church that had received the gospel, had been baptized, and even had experienced the power of God through miracles (3:5).  Paul was grieved about the church's disposition because he previously had visited them (rather unexpectedly due to an unexpected illness [4:13]), and many were saved through his bold proclamation of the "good news" of Jesus Christ; however, by the time of Paul's letter, the church had fallen to the propaganda of the Judaizers from Jerusalem that demanded that the church rigidly follow the Mosaic law in order to be saved.

In his letter, Paul recounts his own journey through Judaism as one advancing more quickly through the ranks than others his age.  In his zealous pursuit to the "traditions of (his) fathers," Paul was making a name for himself.  He was on the fast track to becoming an esteemed religious figure within the Jewish community.  But then something radically and wonderfully happened.  God, in accordance with His own pleasure and will "called" Paul to genuine faith in Jesus Christ (1:15-16), and then God commissioned Paul to be an apostle to share the amazing grace that He affords to those who would receive it.  To be sure, Paul exclaims that this glorious gospel of which he preached was not "something man made up . . . rather, (it was) received by revelation of Jesus Christ."

Paul then shares a rather focused and profound statement with the Galatians, namely that his purpose was not to please man, otherwise he would not be a servant of Jesus Christ.  Paul understood that to be a chosen servant of the Almighty was to proclaim what the LORD desired the people to hear.  Paul would not succumb again to the enticement to please those in religious authority in his community or the hearers of his message; instead, he would proclaim the truth . . . and he would do so obediently, consistently, and unashamedly. 

Of course, one only needs read through the Pauline letters to see the consequences of his being so emboldened to share God's truth, for Paul would be hunted and persecuted throughout his missionary journeys.  In 2 Corinthians 11 we find a detailed account by Paul of his sufferings on account of his faith, and this listing includes stoning, beatings, whippings, shipwrecks, hunger, cold, sleep deprivation, and many others.  Still, Paul kept focused on what God called him to do, rather than give to his hearers what their itching ears wanted to hear.  This is a messenger who honored the One who sent him, and God would be well pleased with the way Paul carried out his assignment.

This is a good word for us today.  When we are called by God to serve Him (and all of us who have been saved are commissioned to service in the Kingdom of God), we must do what He calls us to do rather than trying to please men.  In fact, when a servant of God is faithfully fulfilling his calling, invariably this will result in resistance and even persecution from others who walk in darkness.   The Apostle Peter warns us not to be surprised as such reprisals of persecution as "though something strange were happening to you." They are to be expected . . . and endured with rejoicing that we are counted worthy to experience the "sufferings of Christ," knowing that joy awaits when our Lord's glory is revealed  (I Peter 4:12).

So press on in your calling.  Be kind and considerate, and love others genuinely; but never compromise the calling to which you have received from the Lord.  For it is much more important that you please God rather than man.