Interest

I was struck today by these two passages in Galatians. 

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people but of God. If pleasing people were my goal I would not be Christ’s servant. 

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross my interest in this world has been crucified and the world’s interest in me has also died. 

At every turn there is a constant temptation, the temptation of living to please. This temptation draws us toward what matters to the world and even more so mattering to the world. I love the way Paul describes this on his journey. Not only has my interest in the world died, but their interest in me has died as well. 

We know that this doesn’t mean he’s given up on people or that he’s an outcast. He’s still building relationships and leading people to Christ, but those who care about the things of the world are no longer interested in him. Those who care about power have come to realize he has power but uses it very differently. Those who care about influence have come to realize they can’t manipulate his influence. 

Paul must have been extremely interesting to the leaders of his day, but when you continue to follow Christ, when the things of this world matter little to you, you often find yourself exactly where Paul found himself. Their interest in me has died as well. When that happens, if you are living to please people you will fail. If, however, you are living to please God you will remain faithful, and as Paul says reap a harvest. 

So, let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 

Interest, fame, praise, approval, they all come and go. We don’t do what we do for that reason. We live by faith expressed in love. 

Galatians 5:6 says, “For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” 

This week live by faith expressed in love for the one who bought us back.