The Court of Human Opinion

Scripture:  “But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews believed in Jesus.”  (John 12:10)

Sometimes we can have enemies not because of having done anything offensive against another, but simply because of our association with someone who may have been ostracized because of their stand for Christ.  Bad company corrupts good morals, says 1 Corinthians 15:33.  That is easy enough to understand, but have you ever drawn revilement, dear reader, because of your association with another who has been given “pariah status?”  Human relationships, if you’ve lived a few years, can certainly be messy!  It’s a dangerous thing to worship at the “altar of people popularity,” especially if you claim Christ as your Lord and Savior.  Paul the apostle put it this way:  “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”  (Gal. 1:10b)
     
Lazarus, Mary and Martha’s brother, whom Jesus had raised from the dead in John 11:43, knew something about this phenomenon of being unjustly reviled.  (I don’t believe, however, that Lazarus lost any sleep over their animosity; he was a protected vessel of the King of Kings, after all)! What can we learn about the folly of seeking to please people, or exalting human opinion above what God tells us in His word? First of all, we must allow God’s truth to dominate our perspectives on the issues of life.  Remember that “fear of man brings a snare.” (Proverbs 29:25).  Recall the extensive troubles that Israel encountered because they wanted to be like the heathen nations around them.  Rather than unifying and making them stronger, as they’d hoped, it caused them to forget who their true King was and to whom they owed their greatest allegiance—God Himself!  (I Sam. 8:5b-8)
     
Many church leaders, politicians, and folks who profess to know Christ have deserted true loyalty and devotion to Him, due to their fear of people, a fear of being ostracized or reviled. The consequences of such a mentality are staggering! The hour is too late, saints, to be looking primarily to people for what only the living God can supply-- eternal security, abiding peace, and unshakable love!  By all means, love people, care for and about them; but reserve your highest reverence (fear), and faithfulness for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  

Prayer:  Dear Father, thank You for reminding us that when faced with the choice to be popular with people or to please You, let us, like Jesus, strive to always choose to please You.  The blessings of doing so are everlasting.  Amen!

(By Sis. Denise Diggs )