WINNING GOD’S FAVOR OR MAN’S
“Now am I trying to win the favour of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah)…Galatians 1:10.”
The above verse presents an interesting question for all of us, especially those of us, in ministry. Who are we really seeking to please? It is God who we serve? So why are we constantly trying to please men? Someone once said, Man is looking for better methods. God is looking for better men.
What are you doing to please men? Are you moving away from the tried and trusted ways of scripture? Are we using the latest how to do church from the latest author, who take something of scripture, but adds their input to create a formula that works? We have a how to plant churches manual and how to preach manual, in the book of Acts and yet, we want to formulate some new ideas to please men. Why?
We all seek revival in our churches, but we seek to put it in a way that is comfortable for men. Revival comes when the conditions of true repentance and humility are met. I hear of revival meetings here and there but revival is a sovereign act of God not something that man can organize. If we as the church or as individuals even become popular with the world that is the sign that the church is heading in the wrong direction.
We as a church and individuals are not to strive for the popularity of men; we strive for the pleasure of God. If you or I are striving to win man’s approval, then as Paul says, we are not bond servants of Jesus. We are nothing short of religious frauds. It is time to seek the pleasure of God and not the approval of man.
God bless,
Keith
ALL NATIONS PRAISING GOD
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, on the clouds of the heavens came One like a Son of man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And there was given Him [the Messiah] dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom is one which shall not be destroyed…Daniel 7:13-14.”
Isn’t this awesome? One day we will be part of the biggest and best meeting of people from every single country, language and people. Nations and peoples that have fought on earth, will live in peace, as the scripture says, the lion will lie down with the lamb.
Yes, Americans will be with the Cubans; the British with the Germans and the Chinese with the Japanese. We often ask what we will be doing in heaven, well the Scriptures tell us this, and it is that we will serve Him. It will be wonderful to be reunited with so many friends from down here on earth. Indeed, we often wonder if we will be able to recognize each other, well certainly we will have perfect bodies, so a big change for me then, but our main focus and occupation will be in the service of Our Lord. To be in the presence of His glory and that of the Father is something seriously amazing.
No light will be needed as the Father and Son will be the light. The above passage shows Jesus being given one of His many titles, the Son of Man. And here is the beauty of the Trinity: The Son separate from the Father who is the Ancient of Days. Daniel was writing this from exile in Babylon and this probably brought him great comfort. And he, like us, will see God in all his glory when we get to heaven.
It is the Father’s pleasure to give power and dominion into the hand of the Son so that we can live with them both in a kingdom that will not fade away and is eternal. What a glorious truth, this is, it should thrill our souls. It certainly does mine.
God bless you,
Keith