6I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
10Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
I would say that Paul is pretty worked up in this passage! He has labored among the churches, preaching the good news of salvation by grace alone, and now he has heard that many in these churches are returning to a legalistic, works-based “gospel.”
There is something inside of us that wants to work for our salvation, that wants to earn it. We feel uncomfortable receiving an unmerited gift.
Have you ever received a Christmas gift from someone that you didn’t expect to give you one? Immediately you think, “Oops, I didn’t get them anything. I better go get something real quick!” To us, even a gift has to be earned to some extent.
However, salvation is by grace. Not our works. It is a gift from God. This is good news. We can stop trying to prove ourselves and measuring ourselves against others. Instead we humbly and gratefully receive and live in the love of God through the forgiveness that is found in Jesus Christ.
This sounds too easy. Paul was accused of cheapening the gospel to win the approval of men. He responds, If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Powerful statement…and hard to swallow. When I am trying to please men, when that is my aim, then I am not a servant of Christ. Of course, Paul is not talking about being rude or purposely seeking to displease men. Love is not rude (1 Cor. 13:5) and we are called to live peaceably with all men, as much as we are able (Rom 12:18). But it is easy to shift focus. To work hard at winning the approval of others. To live by the expectations of others. To measure our lives by the accolades and “high fives” of other people. Popularity is enticing…especially in our image-based, media-saturated culture. Success is often measured with “face time” or the number of friends you have on Facebook.
Having people-pleasing tendencies myself, this is a good passage for me to meditate on. I must remember that my goal is not to please men but to serve Christ. I must walk with Him. I must seek the leading of His Spirit. I must know my limitations. I must realize the fickleness of popularity. I must be willing to face opposition and feel the disappointment of others.
The spiritual life is daily communion with Jesus. It is taking His yoke upon us. And, praise God, His yoke is easy and His burden is light!
28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
