Galatians

All posts tagged Galatians

Pleasing People

Posted by Jim Thornber on February 19, 2010
Posted in: Christian Spirituality, Religion, Writing. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

“Am 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” Galatians 1:10

I’ll confess this right up front: I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to please people. However, I’m not really a people pleaser. Let me explain.

A people pleaser is one who does everything they can to make those around them feel comfortable and accepted. They go out of their way to serve others, smooth over difficulties and meet the expectations of those around them, even if those expectations are unwarranted, selfish or just plain silly. They habitually give in to those around them in fear of upsetting them, and constantly put their own needs aside to meet the needs of others, even if the others never show gratitude for the sacrifice.

No, I’m not a people pleaser.

However, I do try to please people. How? Through my writing and teaching. Let me try to explain what God has been trying to explain to me.

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Scriptures That Bother Me — Galatians 5:6

Posted by Jim Thornber on March 3, 2009
Posted in: Christian Spirituality, Religion, Writing. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

The Faith To Love

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6

I’ve been around Christians and Christianity for thirty-five years now. I’ve been associated with Baptist, Pentecostal, Catholic and non-denominational organizations and churches. I’ve seen mysterious, authentic movements of God’s Spirit that have transformed people’s lives, and had conversations with pseudo-religious nuts who proclaimed they were the only ones who held true to “The One True Faith.” It’s been a wild ride.

Since I was saved in the 70’s, I’m quite familiar with the Faith movement. You know, those who liked to “name” their blessing and “claim” it in Jesus’ name. However, Galatians 5:6 sets that idea on its head, for Paul says that the ultimate expression of faith is not for the accumulation of things, but to express itself through love.

Scripture does not encourage us to have faith for prosperity, ministry, jobs, success, popularity, houses, the newest cell phone or a huge 401k. True, we are to have faith for our “daily bread,” but mostly we need to have a faith that expresses itself through love.

Jesus only gave us one “new” commandment: “Love one another” (John 13:34). Of course, this is not really a new commandment, but a remembrance of an old one (Lev. 19:18). After all the religious pomp and circumstances had been swept away, living in love was a new way of thinking for the first disciples of Christ. This was not a new commandment; it was simply new to the disciples. They were looking for a Messiah that would establish the Kingdom and annihilate their enemies, of which there were many. But Jesus reminded them, and us, to love one another; and not only those who already love us, but even our enemies and those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:14).

I’ll admit this is a hard thing to wrap my mind around. Is Paul telling me that if I ground my faith in anything but love then it doesn’t count?  I think so. I wonder if this is why some people’s faith regarding healing goes unanswered. If a person wouldn’t use their healing as an avenue to love other people, then perhaps God will continue to work on healing their spirit before He heals their body (Mark 2:1-11). The same goes for money. I think God keeps some people in financial limbo because if they had an abundance of money they’d spend it selfishly on themselves.

A former pastor of mine was fond of saying, “You are blessed to be a blessing.” Every aspect of my life is intended to be a blessing to others. If I am healthy, wealthy and wise, then God intends those blessings to be freely given to those who need it most. Perhaps Paul is reminding all of us that it is time to have the faith to love with all our resources – heart, soul, mind and strength – for in the end that will be the only type of love-faith that will count.

Scriptures That Bother Me — Galatians 1:10

Posted by Jim Thornber on January 14, 2009
Posted in: Christian Spirituality, Religion, Writing. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 8 Comments

“Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not understand, but the passages that bother me are those I do understand.” — Mark Twain

PLEASING MEN, SERVING CHRIST

“Am 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” Galatians 1:10

I’ll confess this right up front: I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to please people. However, I’m not really a people pleaser. Let me explain.

A people pleaser is one who does everything they can to make those around them feel comfortable and accepted. They go out of their way to serve others, smooth over difficulties and meet the expectations of those around them, even if those expectations are unwarranted, selfish or just plain silly. They habitually give in to those around them in fear of upsetting them, and constantly put their own needs aside to meet the needs of others, even if the others never show gratitude for the sacrifice.

No, I’m not a people pleaser.

However, I do try to please people. How? Through my writing and teaching. Let me try to explain what God has been trying to explain to me.

About a year ago, I found myself hanging out in church after I finished preaching. As I was picking up my Bible and notes, I felt God speak to my heart. “Jim, the only reason you are lingering is so you may hear somebody compliment you on your sermon.”

Okay. That hurt. But God was right. I wasn’t teaching the Word primarily to bring God glory and see lives changed. I was preaching because I wanted to feel the ego buzz I got when somebody complimented me about my sermon.

I’ve found the same thing to be true since I starting blogging. I’m constantly checking my blog stats to see how many people have visited my site. I’m anxious to see who left comments and what they had to say. Even when I’ve written an article for my denominational magazine, I could hardly wait for friends to tell me how much they enjoyed it.

Even though I understand why I seek the approval of men, it doesn’t make it any easier. A few years ago, my wife and I read The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman. He says that everyone has a particular way they know they are loved, and he calls this a love language. The five love languages Dr. Chapman has observed are Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical Touch. My wife’s love language is Quality Time. Can you guess mine? Yep. Words of Affirmation. Mark Twain must have had the same love language, for he said, “I can live two months on a good compliment.” I can go about two days.

Now you know why this Scripture bothers me. Unlike Paul, I’m still trying to please men, and this sometimes comes at the expense of being a servant of Christ. Now, Paul wasn’t saying he was never concerned about pleasing people, for at times he did his best to do just that (1 Corinthians 9:19-22). He was saying he did not try to please men as opposed to pleasing God. Given the choice between pleasing men and pleasing God, Paul chose God every time. I haven’t always been so successful.

I’m not a people pleaser; I’m a Jim pleaser, and I think that is worse. However, the good news is I only have one person I need to disappoint in order to focus my attentions on God. But that’s okay. I’ll get over it.