#147 THE DIRECTION OF YOUR LIFE 9-17-26
There are three things that can quietly shape the direction of a Christian’s life: position, people, and praise. Where we stand matters. How we treat people matters. And whose praise we seek matters. The world tells us to find our position, impress our people, and pursue their praise. Jesus calls us to something higher: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).
POSITION
First, we must consider where we are standing. The Bible says, “Stand therefore, having put on the belt of truth” (Ephesians 6:14). There is a position of faith, a position of obedience, and a position of fellowship with Christ. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Our position is not ultimately determined by our popularity, our accomplishments, our possessions, or our place in society. “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Our greatest position is to be in Christ. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). We have been “raised with Christ” and are told to “seek those things which are above” (Colossians 3:1). Stand there. Remain there. Walk there.
PEOPLE
Then there are people. Christianity was never intended to be lived in isolation. Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). We are commanded, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
People are not interruptions to our ministry. People are our ministry. Jesus looked upon the multitudes and was moved with compassion (Matthew 9:36). He stopped for Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52), spoke with the Samaritan woman (John 4:7-26), touched the leper (Mark 1:40-41), and wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35). “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification” (Romans 15:2).
You may never know how desperately someone needs the encouragement you can give today. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
PRAISE
Finally, whose praise are we seeking? Jesus warned about practicing righteousness “to be seen by men” (Matthew 6:1). The Pharisees loved “the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces” and “to be called by men” (Matthew 23:6-7). Their position had become more important than their relationship with God.
“For do I now persuade men, or God?” and then declared, “If I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). That settles it. We cannot spend our lives chasing applause from people and simultaneously make God our Master.
Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Notice the destination of the glory: the Father.
So stand in the right POSITION. Love the right PEOPLE. Seek the right PRAISE. “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). One day the applause of earth will be silent, earthly positions will disappear, and human opinions will mean nothing. But “well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21) will mean everything.
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Father, help me stand firmly in Christ, love the people You place in my path, and seek Your approval above the praise of men. Keep me humble, faithful, compassionate, and useful. May everything I say and do bring glory to Jesus Christ. Amen.
BDD
