“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.” Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
In a world where visibility and validation are often mistaken for value, the desire to be accepted by others can become overwhelming. Social media, peer groups, and workplace environments continually push the idea that numbers, likes, followers and applause determine worth. While public acceptance is not bad and can even aid our influence for the Gospel, we must never make it our standard for purposeful living. We live for God and Him alone! (2 Corinthians 5:15).
Imagine for a moment that your social media followers dropped from 20,000 to 12 in an hour. How would that feel? Would you panic and look for content that draws people back in, even if it means compromising your convictions? This is not just hypothetical. In John 6:66–67, Jesus watched as many disciples walked away because His message challenged their expectations. Instead of altering His teaching, He turned to the remaining twelve and asked if they, too, would leave. Jesus wasn’t driven by popularity; His fulfilment was rooted in God’s acceptance.
Jesus has set the standard for us to follow. We were not created for the applause of men, but for the pleasure of God (Revelation 4:11). Acts 17:28 reminds us that in Him we live and move and have our being. When we don’t understand God’s acceptance, we begin to search for it in the wrong places. This ultimately leads to compromise and dissatisfaction. Jesus told the woman He met at Jacob’s well that there is a kind of water that quenches thirst forever (John 4:13 – 14). Our greatest satisfaction should come from fulfilling God’s purpose.
Serving the purposes of God may demand non-acceptance with men, and that’s okay. Jesus told us that if the world hates us, they hated Him first (John 15:18). We have been justified by faith, and now have peace with God (Romans 5:1). Our identity in Christ must remain the foundation of true worth. You must constantly remain in awe of God’s grace and favour in your life, irrespective of who recognises it or not.
Dear Child of God, you must constantly affirm that acceptance with the Father is more than enough. We don’t find relevance by conforming to the world’s system, we are content doing the Father’s will (Romans 12:1). As you set out today, reaffirm your commitment to God’s plan irrespective of who subscribes to it or not. You have been accepted into the family of God!
Bible Reading Plan: 2 Kings 9-11; Luke 1: 57-80