Are You Seeking Your Praise From God or Man?

 Walking Through Romans

“In Need of a Savior”

This post goes along with the Free Romans lessons posed at the end of this writing.

Week-8 Day-1

We just finished working through Romans chapter two where Paul spent much time teaching that by your works you will not be saved.( Paul will go into more detail on this topic as we enter chapter 4 of Romans.) He sums up chapter two by teaching that the true Jew, The true Christian, is one who has been circumcised in his heart. True circumcision or conversion is not an outward work of the flesh. It is a work done inwardly by the holy Spirit not by man.

Before Paul goes into chapter 3 he ends chapter 2 with these words:

 

His praise is not from men but from God!

The true Jew, the true Believer, is one who does not rely on the externals of religion: Circumcision, Baptism, Church denomination… He relies on the work of Christ and not his own works for His salvation. He understands that he cannot of himself do anything that will make himself acceptable to God.

The one who relies on God through Christ for his salvation will receive praise from God! As I read and write this my heart overflows with Joy and humility.. The God who created the heavens and the earth, the God who is Sovereign over all things gives praise to His children! Just, utterly amazing.

His praise is from man and not from God!

The opposite of this is also true. The unbeliever relies on the externals of religion: Circumcision, Baptism, Heritage… he relies on his own works and not the work of Christ Jesus for his salvation. He does not understand that his works will not make him acceptable to God.

His praise comes from man. Man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart. The praise which comes from man will last but a moment but praise from God will last for eternity. As I write these words my heart is heavy. It is not full of Joy or humility. To think that mans approval is more important than God’s approval is scary to me. I do not say this lightly because if we are all honest, deep down inside of us is the desire to be approved by men. I have often wanted to write a blog post that would get me praise from man. I have often said or did something that I thought would get me approval from men. God reminds me of these words from Matthew 6:2 &5

“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.”

“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.”

Let us heed the words of Christ! These men received their reward in full. They wanted praise from man and praise from man is what they got. But they did not receive praise from God!

Paul admits in Galatians that before his conversion on the road to Damascus that he was a man pleaser. Read what he says in 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.”

Are you still trying to please men? Do you believe that your works will make you acceptable to God?

I pray that we understand that it is not our works that save but the work Christ that saves! Our works are only praise to God for what He has done through His Son Jesus Christ!

Learning Beside You,

Lisa:)

I linked up post with Cozy Reading spot! Why don’t you head over and check out the other great posts there!

Please download and copy my free lessons in Romans!

Romans Lesson 1 Free download

Romans lesson 2 FREE Download

Romans Lesson 3 FREE Download

Romans Lesson 4 Free Download

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