1 Thessalonians 2:6 Paul writes, “Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.”
Are you looking for a pat on the back? An atta-boy? Do you seek the spotlight, the limelight, or the nightlight? Why do you do what you do? I ask myself these questions often. Sometimes, a little attention is nice. It feels good to be appreciated and we all need those positive strokes of encouragement. But that can all go wrong when everything we do is for the attention of the people. Look at me, look at me, look at me…
Paul continues later in this chapter to say, “For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” Exhorting or urgently warning, encouraging and charging people isn’t always accepted easily. No one likes to be told that what they’re doing isn’t right and they need to straighten themselves out. You certainly won’t get people to like you if you show them their sins. And if what you’re going for is the approval of people, you might go as far as to say that “I’m ok, you’re ok, and all dogs go to heaven.”
Paul says that’s not why they came to Thessalonica. They didn’t come to get the approval of men. They came to share the Gospel, the hope of glory in Jesus. They didn’t come to get people to like them but to help them to see the right path to walk. Do you seek to please God or to please men? I ask myself this question as much as I ask you this question. Because of the old adam, the sinful nature, the answer is yes. I often seek the approval of men and I often seek the approval of God. Being a human being is rough that way. It’s a constant battle.
But we don’t fight alone. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, in baptism, in the Lord’s Supper, in our daily lives, we fight the good fight. Through the power of forgiveness, we strive to live lives that please God, rather than others. And our lives are pleasing to God only through the Son and the Spirit.
Heavenly Father, we fight the fight against pride and vanity. Help us not to seek the approval of men, but only to please you. Empower us to that end through your Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit, amen.
