from Gary Hamrick
... Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel
for
Standing With God
... A heart devoted to pleasing God will remain steady even when it must stand alone.
Galatians 1:10 NKJV (devotion translation)
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Devotion:
The apostle Paul understood what it meant to stand against the prevailing opinion of others. As he journeyed toward Rome as a prisoner, Paul warned those aboard the ship that continuing the voyage would lead to disaster. Yet the majority chose differently, and their decision resulted in great loss. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that truth is not determined by numbers. God's wisdom often stands in contrast to the opinions and values of the surrounding culture.
Believers face similar pressures today. There is a natural desire to be accepted, appreciated, and understood by others. Yet when acceptance becomes more important than obedience, we are tempted to compromise convictions that are rooted in God's Word. Paul wrote plainly that seeking the approval of people and serving Christ cannot occupy first place in the heart at the same time.
Throughout Scripture, faithful men and women often found themselves standing apart from the crowd. Noah built the ark while others mocked. Daniel continued to pray when obedience carried great risk. The apostles declared that they must obey God rather than men. Above all, Jesus endured rejection, ridicule, and ultimately the cross because He remained perfectly obedient to His Father.
Following Christ does not mean being argumentative or harsh. Rather, it means humbly and graciously remaining faithful to God's truth, even when doing so is unpopular. Our confidence is not found in being part of the majority, but in belonging to the Lord. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we find both courage and strength to remain steadfast.
Prayer:
Father, forgive me when I seek the approval of others more than Your approval. Strengthen me by Your Spirit to walk faithfully with Christ and to honor You in every circumstance. Amen.
Related Sermon:
Digging Deeper:
- Acts 5:29 ↗ - The apostles choose obedience to God over the approval of men.
- John 12:42-43 ↗ - Some leaders believed in Jesus but feared public opinion more than God’s approval.
- Hebrews 11:7 ↗ - Noah obeys God by faith despite the unbelief of those around him.
- Daniel 6:10 ↗ - Daniel remains faithful in prayer even when it becomes dangerous.
- Hebrews 12:2-3 ↗ - Jesus endured rejection and opposition while remaining faithful to the Father’s will.
- Isaiah 53:3 ↗ - The Messiah was despised and rejected, yet obediently fulfilled God’s purpose.
Paul’s Warning Rejected
Paul is being transported as a prisoner to Rome. Paul warned of danger, but the majority chose to ignore him. The voyage ended in shipwreck, yet God’s mercy preserved every life aboard.
- Acts 27:9-10 ↗ - Paul warns that continuing the voyage will result in disaster, loss of cargo, and danger to life.
- Acts 27:11-12 ↗ - The centurion trusts the ship’s pilot and owner rather than Paul’s counsel, and the majority decides to sail on.
- Acts 27:13-20 ↗ - A violent storm ("Euroclydon") strikes, and the crew loses control of the ship.
- Acts 27:21 ↗ - Paul reminds them that his warning had been ignored.
- Acts 27:22-26 ↗ - Paul encourages the crew, sharing God’s promise that all lives will be spared though the ship will be lost.
- Acts 27:41-44 ↗ - The ship is wrecked, but everyone reaches shore safely, exactly as God had said.