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.
This is an awesome revelation to the body of Christ. Today, we live in a world of political correctness. That is, no one should offend anyone else. There are no absolutes anymore. Truth is not the main cornerstone of wisdom. However, Paul was not a man pleaser.
There is a prevailing spirit of this age that seeks to bring the church into bondage. It is a man pleasing spirit. Out of insecurity this spirit will operate unless one knows who he is in Christ Jesus. We must give ourselves wholly to Christ our life.
Paul said to Timothy these words:
“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:15-16).
This phrase “wholly to” is rendered one of my personal favorites. “To” is “en” in the Greek denoting being or remaining within, with the primary idea of rest and continuance. It is also “emanating from within, passing on to union and fellowship”.
Paul said he was not out to please men. I believe when you see the definition of this word “please” you’ll gain further insight into what the Lord is wanting to show us. It means “to accommodate one’s self to the opinions, desires, and interests of others.” It also carries with it the idea of striving to please.
But notice, if one lives his life to accommodate himself to the opinions, desires, and interests of others he ends up not being the servant of Jesus Christ! You can’t please man and God at the same time. There are times when truth cuts hard and it will divide flesh from flesh! Are we willing to pay the price for discipleship?
There is an interesting contrast I want us to see. We saw the definition of pleasing man was “to accommodate one’s self to the opinions desires and interests of others”. But I want you to notice what being a “servant” of Jesus Christ is. The Greek defines this word “servant” as “devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests”.
That sums up discipleship! Being devoted to Jesus Christ to the disregard of our own interests. That is the true disciple of our Lord Jesus. Let us examine ourselves as to where we stand. Christ is now living within us. He alone has become our life. Therefore, how should we live?
The Scriptures have the glorious answer!
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:1-4).
“So if you rose with the Meshiah seek that above where the Meshiah sits — upon the right of God. Think of that above and not that of the earth. For you have died and your life is covered with the Meshiah in God. And when the Meshiah manifests — who is our life, then you also manifest with him in glory.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)
“So if you co—raised with the Messiah, seek those which are above, where the Messiah sits at the right of Elohim. Set your thought above — not on the earth. For you died and your life is secreted with the Messiah in Elohim. Whenever the Messiah, our life, manifests, then you also manifest with him in glory.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)
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