Approval

We all crave approval and frankly, as humans, we all need approval.  We need our parents to say I believe in you or I’m proud of you.  When we accomplish something, we look to those in authority over us for affirmation: well done, good show sport, smashing work.  Well at least that is what they would say if they are British. For children, the pride of a parent is maybe the most motivating factor for hard work and achievement.  When that approval is missing in their life, it leaves a tremendous void and causes psychological damage.

That desire for approval is natural and God placed that desire in us.  That desire will never leave us, but Paul says in Romans 2:29…

No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people

Notice something.  The desire for approval doesn’t change, rather the person to whom the affirmation is requested changes.  We still want approval from our father.  The difference is, once Jesus Christ comes inside your heart, the transformation that takes place, changes who you see as your father.  

As a test of your true heart condition, evaluate your motivation for ministry.  What brings you more joy: the recognition from friends, supervisors, or family or the honor of serving God.  Grace will give you a hunger for God’s approval, self-righteousness will cause you to desire man’s praise.

Grown Up Freedom

Galatians 4:1-7

1 Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. 2 They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. 3 And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.

4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Paul gives us this picture of a son who has inherited everything from his wealthy father, but because of his lack of maturity, he doesn’t have the ability to indulge in his inheritance. The church is full of people who have by faith inherited all that God has to offer, but their failure to shake off the chains that have been unlocked by the power of Christ has left them unable to experience the fullness of who he is.

Imagine a person shackled to a wall.  Initially he feverishly tries to break or pick the lock on his restraints in hopes that he will be set free.  After some time, he has resigned h

imself to the fact that he will never escape his restraints.  He is permanently stuck. A man walks by and he begs him to free him from his restraints.  The man agrees and turn

s the key in the lock.  He says to him.  You are now free to leave.  Not only that, I want to invite you to come into my house, eat from my cupboards.  I’ve adopted you as my son and I want

 you to enjoy every benifit of being my son.  You are no longer a prisoner.

The next logical step is to stand up, get out of that cell, and run to the house as fast as you can go, right? It would be insanity for him to stay in that room and continue to try to

pick the lock.

ouDo you get it?  We as Christians are set free by God’s grace.  You can’t break your chains, you can’t unlock them, and you don’t have to.  Jesus has already unlocked y

demnation on your life that God never intended for you.  Start walking in freedom by identifying yourself as an adopted son of God.  It’s time to grow up and walk in the maturity that freedom provides.  It’s time to start r restraints and he said come hang out at my Dad’s house and be my brother.  You will never  experience your inheritance if you allow yourself to remain in the prison cell of your sin.  Stop trying to quit sinning.  You can’t.  Stop putting shame and condemnation on yourself.  It doesn’t come from God.  He want’s you to use and enjoy your inheritance and you can’t do that until you experience his freedom.