You Do Not Need To Impress Anyone Or Win Their Approval

Introduction

In Christ you are not on a stage performing for the opinions of men. The world measures worth by applause, appearance, and acceptance. God measures everything by His Son. When you believed the gospel that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, you were saved by grace through faith and placed into Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:1 to 4, Ephesians 2:8 to 9. Your standing before God now rests on Christ’s finished work, not on human approval.

Approved By God, Not Men

Paul asks, Do I seek to please men or God, for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ, Galatians 1:10. He also says, as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts, 1 Thessalonians 2:4. The verdict that matters comes from the Lord, not from the crowd. With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, yea, I judge not mine own self. He that judgeth me is the Lord, 1 Corinthians 4:3 to 4.

Accepted And Complete In Christ

You do not work toward acceptance. You have it in Christ. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved, Ephesians 1:6. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1. Ye are complete in him, Colossians 2:10. Since God has accepted you in His Son, no human tribunal can add to or subtract from that standing.

The Snare Of People Pleasing

The fear of man bringeth a snare, Proverbs 29:25. Measuring yourself by other people traps you in comparisons and compromises. Paul warns, they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise, 2 Corinthians 10:12. Chasing approval will make you silent when you should speak and restless when you should rest. Grace frees you from that snare.

How To Live Free From The Approval Trap

Live unto Him who died for you and rose again, 2 Corinthians 5:14 to 15. Do what you do as unto the Lord. Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men, Colossians 3:23. Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, Ephesians 6:6. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 2 Timothy 2:15. The goal is not to impress, it is to be faithful.

When Criticism Comes

Critics will come. Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another, Galatians 6:4. Remember Paul’s resolve. He entrusted his motives and results to the Lord who will make manifest the counsels of the hearts, 1 Corinthians 4:5. Keep a clear conscience before God, speak the truth in love, and leave the rest to Him.

Serve Without Bondage To Opinions

Ye are bought with a price, be not ye the servants of men, 1 Corinthians 7:23. You belong to Christ. That frees you to serve people without becoming enslaved to their praise. Support faithful ministers, bear one another’s burdens, and abound in good works, but do it as one already accepted in the beloved, not as one trying to earn a position.

The Gospel That Secures Your Freedom

Your freedom from people pleasing stands on the gospel of grace. Christ shed His blood for your sins and rose again. You are justified by His blood without works, Romans 3:24 to 25, Titus 3:5. You are sealed with the Holy Spirit when you believe, Ephesians 1:13. Since God has declared you righteous in Christ, there is nothing left for the applause of men to add. Walk worthy of the Lord who saved you, and let His approval govern your heart.

Summary

You do not need to impress anyone or win their approval. In Christ you are accepted, complete, and free to serve God with a clear conscience. Seek the Lord’s commendation, not the crowd’s. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth, 2 Corinthians 10:18.