Well Pleasing to God

No one likes the feeling of being judged, especially when perceive judgments are unfair.  Negative opinions others have about us can be hurtful and impact us deeply.  How can we balance caring for people without trying to please them?  Paul was a follower of Jesus who set a great example of how to do this because he primarily lived to please God.  He was not careless about the feelings of others, for he loved deeply and served others sincerely.  But even when he was judged negatively by people inside or outside the church, he pressed on in faith in pursuit of Christ without regrets.

Paul wrote to people in the Corinthian church, and many in that fellowship had a low view of him.  They questioned his motives; they downplayed his leadership.  They admitted he wrote powerful letters, but his bodily presence was weak and his speaking contemptible - which means they despised it!  Paul knew well he would one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ and would receive according to all he had done or said, good or bad.  He wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:9-11, "Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. ¹¹ Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences."

The apostle Paul aimed to be well pleasing to God, and he realised God knew him perfectly.  On the Day of Judgment God was not going to take into account the opinions or judgments of men concerning Paul's actions or motives:  God already knew them.  Paul, in a sense, examined his heart and made his decisions in light of the impending judgment he would face before the righteous, holy God.  Therefore the opinions or judgments of men (negative or positive) had minimal impact whatsoever on him.  He was not buoyed by a sense of success from adulation, nor was he waylaid from obedience to God by harsh censure.  Paul was not in the habit of walking according to his shortsightedness but had a singleness of mind in following and obeying Jesus.

Because Paul feared God he sought to persuade men to be well pleasing to Him.  Paul didn't want people discipling one another and walking uprightly only when he was around but also when he was not able to oversee the ministry in Corinth.  He did the best he could in person or through letters to convey instruction and rebuke seasoned with grace, to exhort and encourage all to continue steadfastly in the faith.  He warned them with many tears, not caring if they judged him weak and contemptible.  He did not speak with wisdom of words but with fear and trembling, seeking to impact the church for God's glory.  Not all received or appreciated what Paul had to say, and the same could be said about His LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Jesus lived to do the will of the Father, and as His servants we should do the same.

The supreme courts of men do not have authority which extends above the throne of God which is above all.  If we in a clear conscience can stand boldly before God's throne of grace, then we do not need to worry about the opinions of men.  Paul stood because God enabled him to stand, and praise God that is His will for us too.  Take to heart the words of Galatians 6:9-10: "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."  Receiving a "Well done, good and faithful servant" from the lips of my King will be sufficient.  God is well pleased to say this to His redeemed.