Pleasing God or Pleasing Man?

"Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ."

    You can't be a people pleaser and a bondservant of Christ at the same time. It's important to learn the difference between serving others as a Christian, and being a people pleaser. People pleasing typically starts with compromise, and ends with frustration. You alter your commitments, promises, or pledges. The end result often leaves you as the "bad guy" or the "fall guy".  Serving others for Christ has intentionality, purpose, and most often won't require a compromise. 

   Example: I find it difficult to say "no" when people ask for help. Especially in my "areas". This leads to issues with time management. It's caused strife in my home in the past. I miss events in my family's life, either because I'm not there, mentally, or I'm too tired if I am there. My wife and I have agreed that I must carefully monitor the things on my calendar, and the guard the margins fiercely. Soon after this decision, Sis Jones asks if I can lead next semester's men's small group because Bro. Larry has to cancel. "Of course I can. Glad to help." Before I know it, I've eroded the margins of my time, and cheated my family out of my time. 

   Reality check- You cannot please everyone, and you certainly cannot continually keep people happy...not if you are a Christian that is. Why? because, the Gospel is offensive to sin. And wherever you go and whatever you do, if you are carrying the gospel with/in you, just by being Christ-like, it will offend sin and those living in sin. And the offended will take it out on you. in effect, when you seek to please people you are in a bondservant to them. Something hinges on their happiness, and that keeps you in bonds. 

   I'd rather please God, and be bound in Him. How about you?

I love you, and I am praying for you 
~Pastor Erroyl
SALT