“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:26 KJV).
This text warned of seeking world approval. Pursuing to please people bears the risk of losing sight of God's word and promises. We ought to pose the question for whom and for what do we live? The Lord Jesus warned us of living to please people, as many did during His earthly time (John 12:42-43). He sets the example for us not to receive glory from people (John 5:44). The crowd wanted to make Him king. They gloriously welcomed His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, crying out, "Hail to the King of Israel!" to praise Him. Then a week later, they fickle away from Him, only to return screaming, "Crucify him!" (Mark 15:12-14). The Lord Jesus didn't submit to the will of the crowd. And, so do we!
When we live for the approval of the world, we give away the rule of our lives to the will of the world. We lose the core direction in our lives. We replace the approval of God with the applause of the people, like the false prophets of Baal who led the Israelites, and themselves, into ruin (1 King 18).
We do good by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, not by self effort. Grace in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ was prepared by God in advance for us to do, by believing in Him. It is by faith resting in grace that we give glory to God. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).
By the example of Enoch and Noah, we do good works by faith, not by self-efforts of trying our best, which religion teaches. Scriptures call for faith, as it is written: “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” (Hebrews 11:5-7 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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