Galations 1:10 '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.'
Everyone is seeking approval..everyone wants to be loved..everyone wants to be accepted..by EVERYONE.
Our culture today is strongly influenced by social media. If you haven't posted pictures of yourself skydiving, traveling to another country, or partying with 30+ friends this week…you must not be living…your life must be SO boring. Some of the strongest and most blessed people that I know are the ones who I see most seeking this type of approval from peers. We all fall into this idol at times…the 'Idol of Approval'.. and how do we know what separates the joy of sharing our experiences with the boasting and bragging of seeking social approval? My Facebook status about the World Race got 100+ likes and 30+ comments..my blog has been viewed over 1,200 times..I raised $6,500 in one month.. does that fulfill my need for approval? No..it will never be fulfilled with cultural desires because EVERYONE is not going to agree with what I am doing..EVERYONE is not going to want to give up their extra money to support something that they won't get any immediate personal reward for.
How many 'likes' would Jesus have recieved on His status commanding the world to surrender their lives to Him and give up the sins that they loved? People hated him..mocked him..betrayed him..yet we still do all that we can to gain the approval of this world. Jesus commanded his disciples to go into all the world preaching the gospel..and then warned that they would be killed, imprisoned, and persecuted. He then gave them a new commandment..
John 13:35 'By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.'
As Christ followers we must love one another, no other love gets the attention of all people as a sacrificial love for others. People are searching and seeking approval, where can they turn for hope and compassion?
John 15:18 'If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.'
