TODAY IS…

the perfect day to live for God.

“Your approval means nothing to Me…” John 5:41 NLT

After the Jewish leaders became upset with Jesus over their claims that He had violated the Sabbath rules, He inflamed them further by chastising them. They were enraged. After all, they were the Jewish leaders. Ordinary people feared them and did not dare talk back to them or tell them they were wrong.

But Jesus Christ was no ordinary man.

He was sent here by God to do the will of God. He was not sent here to win the approval of men – even the leaders of the Jewish people. Jesus was sent here to do the work of God and it was only God’s approval that He was concerned with.

And so it is with each one of us as we go through our daily lives. If we have the approval of everyone around us, but we don’t have the approval of God, then we are missing the point of being a Christian.

As society moves toward increased permissiveness and decreased morality, it becomes difficult for us to remember sometimes that just because something is legal or accepted by society doesn’t mean it meets with God’s approval. We can try to justify certain behaviors and actions all we want, but when we are honest with ourselves, we can always be sure of what God will or will not approve. If we are walking consciously on the path that God will illuminate for each one of His children who asks, it is easy to discern when we have the approval of the only One who should matter.

An interesting point to remember is this: it is possible to have the approval of ordinary men, even those in the highest of public positions, and still not have the approval of God. At the same time, if we have the approval of God, then our behavior should garner the approval of any person on earth.

One sure way to gain universal acceptance is to live a life that has God’s approval. No one can ever fault an individual who treats everyone with kindness. No one can ever find fault with someone who demonstrates genuine compassion and concern for his or her brothers and sisters.

Read the Word of God, follow its simple concepts, pray to God for His guidance and ask Him to illuminate the path you should walk and you will be on your way to having His approval.

And God’s approval is all you need.

*******

Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson