Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. I. TO PLEASE MEN by — 1. Watering down the doctrines of the gospel until they mean whatever hearers like to make them. 2. Toning down the precepts of the gospel until they are undistinguishable from the maxims of worldly policy. 3. Introducing secular expedients to attract audiences over whom an attenuated gospel has host its power. 4. Sinking the stern preacher of righteousness in the bland mover-about in society. II. TO SERVE CHRIST by — 1. The proclamation of unalterable trust. 2. The insistence of, and personal conformity to, a high moral standard. 3. The disdain of mere clap-trap and popular arts. 4. The imitation of the self-denying example of the Master. The one may please men; the other will save them. Bondage to man or to Christ: — I. THE NECESSITY TO PLEASE MEN represents in a very typical manner the non-freedom of the unredeemed man. This is a real slavery because — 1. It disturbs the development of an independent plan of life. 2. It is a part of the bondage of sin. 3. It involves servitude to the customs and fashions of the world. II. FREEDOM FROM THIS YOKE is only gained by entering the service of Christ. Just as the servant of a king boasts of his office as the highest liberty, so can we when we serve the Lord Christ. III. Deliverance from the fear of man and the necessity of pleasing him, and servitude to Christ and pleasing Him, may be taken as a GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY. In conclusion — 1. Has the desire to have the good opinion of my neighbours any part in my profession of religion? 2. Even if my religious service is not done to be seen of men, is it a thing of form or principle? 3. Have I courage to dissent from the usages of society if my conscience protests? Do I always set before me, "What does Christ demand?" and not, "What will men say?" (Professor Robertson Smith.) Parallel Verses KJV: For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. |
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