“Live to please God, not people. True freedom is found in serving Christ, not in seeking approval.”
In our interconnected, social media-driven world, the pull to live for the approval of others is stronger than ever. The likes, shares, and glowing comments can have us tailor our lives to the expectations and praise of people. This is why the message of Galatians 1:10 resonates with countercultural power:
“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.”
Apostle Paul’s pointed question invites us to examine our motivations. Are we seeking the fleeting approval of our peers, or are we aligning our lives to please God? This isn’t just a question of priorities; it’s a matter of spiritual freedom and true service.
The Freedom in Serving Christ
To serve Christ is to be free from the oppressive yoke of people-pleasing. Jesus Himself taught in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” This freedom includes liberation from the tyranny of public opinion—the ceaseless striving to meet an ever-changing standard.
The Pitfall of People-Pleasing
Living for human approval confines us to a prison of performance, where our value and self-worth hinge on the fickle judgments of others. Proverbs 29:25 warns us, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” The approval we receive from others can be a trap that ensnares our hearts, diverting us from the true purpose God has for our lives.
Approval from the Right Source
In contrast to the ephemeral praise of people, the approval that comes from God is eternal and transformative. In 2 Corinthians 5:9, Paul expresses a singular focus, “So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” His desire to please God stemmed not from a sense of duty, but from a heart of gratitude and the reality of being a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The Marks of a Servant of Christ
To be a servant of Christ means to forsake the ever-shifting sands of human approval and stand upon the solid rock of Christ’s unwavering acceptance. Galatians 1:10 isn’t simply about rejecting the need for human approval; it reveals the identity of a true servant of Christ—one whose allegiance, actions, and aims are directed toward God alone.
Living for an Audience of One
Colossians 3:23-24 encourages this mindset, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” This passage redirects our efforts to the true audience that matters—the audience of One.
Embracing True Freedom
The quest for human approval is a chain that binds us, but in Christ, we find the key to genuine liberty. “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love,” Galatians 5:13 tells us. By serving others in love, not out of a desire to be seen and applauded, we experience the joy and freedom of living for God.
Conclusion
Galatians 1:10 isn’t a call to dismiss the value of human relationships or the importance of community. It’s a reminder that our ultimate allegiance and source of approval should come from God. “Live to please God, not people. True freedom is found in serving Christ, not in seeking approval.”
As we align our actions with this principle, we experience the true freedom that comes from serving Christ—a freedom unhindered by the capricious desires of others, rooted in the eternal love and acceptance of the Creator of the universe. In pursuing a life focused on pleasing God, we find that His yoke is easy, His burden is light (Matthew 11:30), and in this divine approval, we find the courage to be who we were truly made to be.
