Introduction:

Throughout the years, America has produced a few TV shows that can be both inspiring and gut-wrenchingly embarrassing in the same episodes. “America’s Got Talent” may be the apex of those shows. In this show, people from around America come to present their talents for judges. Some of these “talents” only end with everyone cringing while others end in tears and inspiration. The most beautiful part of the show is the golden buzzer. If one of the four judges love a performance enough, they will hit the golden buzzer. The contestant automatically moves onto the finale, regardless of the opinions of anyone else. For the contestant that receives the golden buzzer, they went from needing to impress millions of Americans to only performing for one. Paul has the perspective of performing for one judge and one judge only.

Galatians 1:6-10

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel – not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accused. 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.”

Think about it:

The churches in Galatia started to abandon the gospel of Christ for something that was more appealing to man. At the core of the gospel is God’s grace and nothing more! In some way, Galatia was pulling “extras” into the gospel message and was making it about appealing to others. Yet, Paul wants the Galatians to know they are servants of God not man. God commands us to love God and love others. That is what pleases him. You are free from the burden of performing for man, running the rat race of popularity and status. We don’t live to please man; we live to please God.

Take away:

Free people live for Him, not them.

Personal reflection:

After you make a life decision, are you more worried about the opinion of others around you or of God?