Sometimes we get priorities mixed up. Like, is right always right or only when it is also acceptable?
Jesus lived a model of spiritual focus. Without compromise Jesus pursued the mission, and differing opinions and advice (peer pressure) became (with effort, I’m sure) silenced.
“I don’t accept praise from humans. But I know what kind of people you are. You don’t have any love for God. I have come with the authority my Father has given me, but you don’t accept me. If someone else comes with his own authority, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept each other’s praise and don’t look for the praise that comes from the only God?” (John 5:41b-44 God’s Word).
Despite that people tend to wait for approval to do right. Or they turn down their hot love for Jesus with the ice water of hypocrites and power players.
“Many rulers believed in Jesus. However, they wouldn’t admit it publicly because the Pharisees would have thrown them out of the synagogue. They were more concerned about what people thought of them than about what God thought of them” (John 12:42-43 God’s Word).
No doubt, standing for Jesus and justice may become hard, even dangerous. But when you die and Jesus takes a look at your life list, will Jesus let you off the hook for work not done because you let people shape your mission away from what God called you to do?
6 responses to “All Out or Just Maybe?”
nopew
August 11th, 2013 at 12:57
What a great way to spend time! It’s constant in our face that people want attention by the push/pull on our lives in their direction. May you constantly find ways to stay on God’s path.
Peace
LikeLike
Shelly
August 11th, 2013 at 09:49
It is difficult to stop worrying about what others think about us. However, the more time I spend in the Word and in prayer, the more I care about what the Lord thinks about me rather than men. Blessings!
LikeLike
nopew
August 11th, 2013 at 04:21
Death will probably perfect the matter!
Seriously, I think we should re-discover the mystics and other contemplative examples. Thomas a Kempis is one who knocks the wind out of me.
LikeLike
lessonsbyheart
August 11th, 2013 at 01:49
This is one of those areas where I wish I could say I had it down to a fine art. Alas, I’m still a work in progress. Do you suppose we ever conquer this?
\o/
LikeLike
nopew
August 9th, 2013 at 20:42
Yes, harder to do than to say…
LikeLike
greenlightlady
August 9th, 2013 at 18:07
A good admonition to follow the Shepherd and not our peers.
LikeLike