Seeing an issue from another point of view can be refreshing. Stepping back and taking another look at it can also show us what we were missing initially. When you change your perspective, it opens a whole new world. Paul challenges us to look at our walk with Jesus in a whole new light today.
Galatians 1:10
“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”
Willingly Submit
A bond-servant was someone who willingly put themselves in the service of their master. They, more than likely, worked for their master to pay off debt, and when that time was over, they chose to stay with them for a lifetime of service. Life in the house of the master was better than any they could make on their own. They would signal the deal by having wooden awl pierced through their ear. This showed everyone they were owned by someone else. Those arrangements were prevalent in the Roman empire.
The Only Opinion That Matters
When Paul talks about being a bond-servant of Christ, it means he has willingly become a lifelong servant of Jesus, but instead of Paul, being pierced Jesus was. Paul knew that being with Christ in His service was better than anything else offered to him at that time. He also knew that the only person’s opinion who matted was Jesus. It was fruitless and counterproductive to seek the approval of man.
Change Your Perspective
Do you see yourself as a bond-servant of Jesus? Have you willingly submitted your life into His hands? If not, this is where some of the disconnects between you and the Lord could be coming from. Too many treat Jesus as their servant when it should be the other way around. Too many people care too much about what others think than in pleasing Him. Change your perspective and see if things don’t change in your life as well.