Are you worried about what they think?

Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (ESV)

I love the introduction in my favorite study Bible to the book of Galatians. “In the whole Bible, there is no more passionate, comprehensive, yet concise statement of the truth of the gospel than Galatians.” The apostle Paul defends the gospel and himself as a minister of the good news that Christ has given him. The early church in Galatia had been infected by those who were perverting the simplicity of the gospel; “well yes, but you have to also do this…..”. They were adding to that which needs none. There were and are no works of man that need to be added to the justification by Christ in faith in Him. Galatians 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Paul before his conversion to Christ was an elevated man. He was held in high regard in the Jewish society; he was somebody in his own eyes. Christ had humbled him greatly, and showed him that he was nothing without Christ. Paul had swallowed his pride and lived a life dedicated to pointing others to Christ. It was his sole focus, it be the minister of the gospel that Christ had entrusted him with. Philippians 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Paul saw the grace that he had been given even as the great sinner that he was. He had persecuted even unto death those that were following Christ, yet Christ wanted and claimed Paul as His own in the free grace He provided. Christ showed Paul that there is no sin that cannot be forgiven, and there is no work that man can do to earn the grace of God.

Paul did not care what other people thought of him, he only cared that they heard his message that God had entrusted to him. His only concern was to spread the Good News, and to suffer all that he must as a result of that mission. Do you have that passion? Do you worry too much about what people may think; so much so that you may remain silent; do you even hide your faith? Will Christ ask you why you were silent when He asked you to speak? Mark 8:38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” If the Spirit living inside of you is prompting you to speak; either to share the gospel; to defend the gospel, or to denounce sin; do not remain silent in fear of what others may think. It is only you who have to answer for what He is asking you to do or say regarding what you have been entrusted with.