(Gal) 1:10 CJB “Now does that sound as if I were trying to win human approval? No! I want God’s approval! Or that I’m trying to cater to people? If I were still doing that, I would not be a servant of the Messiah.”

Paul draws a clear line.

You cannot serve God and live for human approval.

You cannot fear people and faithfully follow Christ.

You cannot seek popularity and remain loyal to Jesus.

Every man eventually chooses:

Will I live to please God…
Or to please people?

A servant has one primary concern:

What does my master want?

A servant of God serves God first and people second.

This is not selfish.

This is loving.

A good parent does not give a child everything he wants.

He gives him what he needs.

In the same way, a man of God does not tell people what they want to hear.

He tells them what God says.

Because eternity is at stake.

Our culture rewards compromise.

It celebrates:

Popularity.
Influence.
Likes.
Followers.
Applause.

And too many Christians have bought in.

We measure success by approval instead of obedience.

We avoid hard conversations.

We soften biblical truth.

We stay silent when we should speak.

We hide our faith to protect our reputation.

Paul says plainly:

If that is your pattern, you are not serving Christ.

Jesus warned that those who deny Him before men will be denied before the Father.

Denial is not only verbal.

It is often silent.

We deny Christ when:

We refuse to speak His name.
We hide our convictions.
We blend into unbelief.
We avoid gospel conversations.

Commission and omission both matter.

To deny Christ is to endanger your soul.

And to withhold Christ is to endanger others.

Our culture’s hostility to God is not accidental.

It is fueled by Christians who fear people more than God.

When disciples become silent, culture becomes bold.

When the Church softens, sin hardens.

When truth retreats, deception advances.

This is not first a political problem.

It is a discipleship problem.

Most people believe they are “good.”

Most try to do “good.”

But often for selfish reasons:

Recognition.
Reputation.
Advantage.
Acceptance.

Good works alone do not save.

They prepare the way for good news.

Our service should point to Christ.

Our kindness should lead to conversation.

Our integrity should open doors for testimony.

If our good works never lead to gospel witness, something is missing.

Paul’s life proves this.

He preached Christ everywhere.

In comfort.
In conflict.
In prison.
In danger.

Why?

Because servants represent their Master.

If we belong to Jesus, we speak of Jesus.

We confess Him as Lord.

We proclaim forgiveness in His name.

We call people to repentance and faith.

Silence is not humility.

It is disobedience.

One day, every man will stand before Christ.

No crowds.

No comments.

No followers.

No platforms.

Only Jesus.

And only one evaluation will matter:

“Well done, My good and faithful servant.”

Not:

“Well done, popular servant.”

Not:

“Well done, comfortable servant.”

Faithful servant.

The man who fears God is free from fear of men.

He speaks truth.

He lives distinctly.

He loves boldly.

He stands firmly.

Not arrogantly.

Not harshly.

But courageously.

With grace.

With conviction.

With loyalty to Christ.

Run Today’s Play:

1. Examine Your Motivation

Ask honestly:

Do I care more about approval or obedience?
Do I avoid truth to stay comfortable?
Do I hide Christ to protect my image?

Let God search you.

2. Reorder Your Allegiance

Decide now:

Jesus first.
Always.

Before career.
Before reputation.
Before relationships.
Before comfort.

3. Speak Christ Clearly

Open your mouth.

Share your testimony.
Name Jesus.
Explain the gospel.
Invite repentance.

Trust the Spirit.

4. Let Good Works Point to Good News

Serve excellently.

Love sincerely.

Live faithfully.

But always connect your life to Christ.

Don’t stop at kindness.

Go to the cross.