"We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors."2 Corinthians 6:8
encouragement for today
Though Paul says elsewhere that he sought to live in peace with others whenever possible, here he acknowledges that his primary focus is not serving people, but God. When you serve God, it doesn't always follow that people will honor you. Sometimes that happens, but other times they despise or slander you. Jesus warned his disciples that people would hate them because they hated Jesus. We need to keep our focus singly on Jesus, be true to him, and let the chips fall where they may. If our goal is to serve God, we can live with the people consequences.
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions
I had an experience once where I was in a position of having to choose loyalty to God over loyalty to a person. Though this person was a dear friend and though I tried to handle the situation in a way that was God-pleasing, God made His will very clear to me on the matter. It was tough following through in obedience. It cost me the friendship. However, I knew my loyalty and obedience had to lie in God - not with the person. It was very hard but God helped me through it. I am now thankful for what He has done since...He knew what was best.
Though we are to live peaceably with one another and look to the interests of others before our own, we are to never place pleasing people over pleasing God. Though I am loyal to my family, friends, and faith, my loyalty lies in Christ first and foremost! There is no compromise on this point. And if I'm forced to choose between people or God - God wins every single time!
Who are you trying to please today?
In His Love, Cathy
7 comments:
This is so true what you are saying. If I had not chosen God over my family a long time ago I would be dead or very lost today. It was not easy then but I am very glad I did make the right decision. I knew that family can help me to a certain point but I needed something that went farther then what man or family can do for me. We can not never go wrong chosing God before man.
Glad to see you are posting again.
Enjoyed the article too.
Thank you, Evelyn, for sharing your testimony on this topic. You are so right, you can never go wrong choosing God!
And Ron, it is great to be healthy, well, and back blogging!
Donna K called me a blog slacker!
Cathy. no ome could have said it better. I have also lost friends over the years because I chose God. God opened my spiritual eyes & let me see that they were not true friends after all. One day I will give an account of my life to God & not my friends.
Amen Mrs. Jewel!!! Well said!
Glad you are BACK!!! And most especially glad to hear you say "healthy" (yayyy@!)
New pic is nice too :-)
P.S.
Not nice to tattle for the name calling haha
Thanks, Donna! Love you, friend!
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