1 Corinthians 4:1-5 – Live for God’s Approval

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

Are you seeking man’s approval or the approval of the one who’s judgment will matter in the end?

Today’s devotional reading: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

While the Lord commands us to love our neighbors, He does not command us to seek their approval. Jesus warned the apostles on several occasions about living to be loved by others.

• In Luke 6:26, Jesus warned the apostles that when all people speak well of you, they did the same of the false prophets in Old Testament times. The false prophets deceived the people, leading them away from the way of God because they loved the praises the people heaped on them.
• In John 15:18-25, Jesus warned the apostles that they would be hated by the world because they would minister against the world, just as He did.

In James 4:4, James spoke against believers trying to be friends with the world, saying, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

What is having the world’s love going to do when you stand before the Lord in judgment? God will judge whether or not you lived true to His word as a steward. God will judge whether or not you lived to be approved by Him. Let us put forth our best effort, seeking to please the Lord, by living in obedience to His word – love the Lord and your neighbor as you love yourselves.