| Sooner or later the Christian must choose whether he will “please men” or “please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” There is nothing wrong with pleasing men as long as it does not conflict with our pleasing the Lord. “Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved,” and “let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.” But this is a far different thing than loving “the praise of men more than the praise of God.” Christian slaves were exhorted (and the exhortation is applicable to all of us) to obey their masters, “not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Now, “men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself,” but praise from God comes either now, in His blessings to us, or when we shall stand before Him at His coming, for “then shall every man have praise of God.” Let us, then, “look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Our Lord said that “if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor.” Such life and service will please and honor Him and will be “a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.” |
