One thing that the pandemic has impacted is professional sports. Most leagues have restarted without fans in the stands. Some are pumping in fake crowd applause, but it has been hard to watch as someone who is a lifelong sports fan. The applause of the fans brings so much to the game, and at times it appears that the athletes are going through the motions. One of the dangers that Christians face is living for the approval of man instead of God. Whose approval are you seeking?
John 12:43
“for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.”
Covert Christians
A large group of Pharisees believed in Jesus while he walked on the earth, but they didn’t voice it out of fear of getting kicked out of the synagogue but at the heart of it was that they loved the approval of man more than God. After Jesus ascended to heaven and the Holy Spirit was poured out on Pentecost, many of these Pharisees became part of the church. There is a danger when we are more interested in what others will say than what God has already said.
Don’t Shrink Back
Not much has changed today. There are a lot of people who believe in Jesus but are afraid to profess their faith. They are fearful of backlash in their family and workplace, so they become covert Christians. Believers are to be bold with our faith, not to shrink back. Paul tells us that if we profess Jesus before others, He will profess us before His Father. You can’t worry about what people might think.
Whose Approval Are You Seeking?
The approval of man can be a chain that isn’t easily broken. One little comment and it can ruin your day and change your trajectory. Don’t live in fear of what others may think or say. Live your faith out loud. You will find it will free you from all the worry and stress. The approval of God is eternal. Whose approval are you seeking?