One of the greatest obstacles of following Jesus with total abandon is our love of the approval of men.

Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. John 12:42-43 (NASB)

We cannot seek both the approval of men and of God. We cannot be people pleasers and God pleasers. I was asking myself some hard questions yesterday: Do I fear people? Do I love their approval? Am I consumed with what they think of me? I want to follow Jesus no matter what people think. Jesus said His disciples would be hated because they are not of the world (John 15:18-19). Have I followed Him with such abandon that I am hated?

The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 (NIV)

[Originally posted March 9, 2005]