He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him—He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not—I do not receive glory from people…How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

Your approval or disapproval means nothing to me,
because I know you don’t have God’s love within you.

Lo, I come to do thy will, O God—“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted—If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you… If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours—As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ… whoever believes in him will not be put to shame—having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Jn.1:11 ESV; Isa 53:3 ESV;  Jn.5:41,44 ESV; Jn.5:41 NLT British text; Heb.10:9 KJV; Lk.2:42 ESV; IITim.3:12 ESV; Jn.15:19-20 ESV; I Pet. 2:4-6 ESV; Eph.1:5-6 NKJV

Ultimately, it is only God’s approval that matters.  Why then do I hope so hard for your approval? It is the bent of our old natures to be thought well of by others.  We would be worshiped too I suppose, if we could.  Well at least can we garner a little praise our way? I haven’t begun to experience persecution for the sake of Jesus.  Then again, how often have I held my tongue when I might have said a word on His behalf?  What holds me back from offering words of life?  Might it be this overriding desire to be thought well of rather than risk rejection?

Hmm… just pondering these things today.  They say that with old age we care less what people think and are more apt to speak our mind.  If this be true, let it be the mind of Christ we express!  May He grant us courage and confidence based on His forever acceptance of us and our wish to share that love. 

–LS