Focus: God’s Approval (Pt.2)

Text: Rom.16:10

"Greet Apelles APPROVED in Christ."

To be approved is more than being blessed. It's so sweet to be blessed, but it is best to be approved of God. In the book of Acts we read that Christ was approved OF God, and in the text before us, Apelles is said to be approved IN Christ.

It is essential that we win God's approval. You may be despised, ridiculed, castigated, victimized, misunderstood, or maligned by men, but make sure you stand approved before God. Let it be that you are in God's good books. If God approves of you, then it matters not who disapproves of you.

The main person you should be focused on pleasing is God. Paul has this to say, "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who TRIETH our HEARTS" (1Thes.2:4). The psalmist also tells us that "the righteous God TRIETH the HEARTS and the REINS" (Ps.7:9).

I am eternally devoted to living primarily for one man's audience, that is, Christ Jesus. I don't want to be counted as one having labored in vain. Jesus says of some workers, "I know you not… depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity" (Lk.13:27). They worked, but were disapproved in the end.

Let us yield ourselves to a life of discipline as Paul did, who says, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (1Cor.9:27). The word 'castaway' also means 'disapproved.' We have to play by the rules or risk being disapproved by God. John makes us aware of the likelihood or possibility of some of us being "ashamed before him at his coming" (1Jh.2:28).

I pray none of us shall be weighed in the balances of God and found wanting. I pray we live and function by God's endorsement. It is in Christ and by Him alone that we may gain divine approval. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter