The Holy Spirit put on my heart the thought of hard sayings within doctrine and the challenge for some hard sayings to be accepted by some. I asked the Holy Spirit to explain this particular hard saying (pleasing God and not man) for greater acceptance. Keep in mind that some of God's principles may be more challenging than others for some people. Also keep in mind that God is not in the business of negatively beating anyone up. To greater accept hard sayings is opportunity for spiritual growth. It's part of graduating from milk to meat (hint: spiritual growth is not all about applying exegesis, history, hermeneutics, the art of homiletics, etc. Spiritual growth also has a lot to do with the tolerance for certain doctrines, being built to deal with certain truthful principles, and not being offended when confronted with truths. This requires tolerance for hard sayings.) The principle of God pleasing and not man pleasing is applicable for all people and oftentimes is a focus (in love) for those specifically when hearing the words "not please man" a boiling irritation on the inside begins, a feeling of self-dignity being raped begins, and a sense of personal belittling begins. God inspired biblical hard sayings (all scripture is inspired by God.) Again, God is not in the business of negatively beating people up. I really prayed (probably more than normal) before writing this devotion hoping for greater acceptance of this hard saying (please God and not man.) Trust me, my hope is for this exposition to not be a stumbling block (a big part of my prayer.) Here is how the Holy Spirt instructed me to explain it:
"Pleasing God and not man" is not personally negative or condemning. Unfortunately, the statement (please God and not man) can come across as personally negative and condemning because of the "misperception of unconcern towards man" when hearing the words "Not please man". God pleasing and not man pleasing does not mean to be unconcerned towards man. Actually, to bring greater enlightenment to this principle, the Holy Bible speaks clearly and literally about honoring and pleasing man. However, anything that pleases man but does not please God, God's stance in the matter at hand should be the choice over man's stance in the matter at hand. In other words, when there is a difference between the stances of God and man (which happens frequently), choose God and hope that man (people) of a different stance eventually takes God's stance. Therefore, pleasing God and not man is a "doctrine that deals with choice" and hopefully when it sinks in that the doctrine is about "choice", it brings more sensitivity towards acceptance because everyone understands their right for personal choice and their desire for their personal choice to be accepted. Said in love and not belittling: To not understand any doctrine of choice (the right of choice) presents hypocrisy. The purpose of the thought of hypocrisy is to bring forth change, so hopefully when thinking "not accepting the doctrine of not pleasing man and pleasing God- a doctrine of choice" equates to hypocrisy, there's a change of mind to greater accept this doctrine due to not desiring to be self-condemned as an hypocrite (that does not imply someone accusing one as an hypocrite, it's oneself dealing with ones own conscience about potentially being a hypocrite.)
Retracking back to the original statement about pleasing God and not man being a "misperception of unconcern towards man", now let's tie that misperception into choice: Just because someone chooses something that does not please someone else, that does not mean that the person who made the choice is unconcerned about the person who was not pleased with the choice. Now let's take the above Rhema and work with some Logos. For example (using exegesis): Peter's initial choice was for Jesus to not go to the cross and be crucified. Between going to the cross and being crucified and not going to the cross and being crucified, going to the cross and being crucified was the "God stance choice". However, Jesus was not unconcerned about Peter when Jesus said no to Peter regarding his choice for Jesus not to be crucified. Actually, Jesus's rebuke towards Peter and his choice to go to the cross and be crucified illustrated massive concern (not unconcern) for Peter. How? Jesus being crucified led to Pentecost and Pentecost led to the ushering of the Spirit of God to birth the New Testament Church that Peter was ultimately being prepared for to help lead. It was expedient that Jesus went away (was crucified, resurrected, and ascended) so the Holy Spirit could get in the way. Peter eventually realized that his mentality to not accept Jesus going to the cross and being crucified (wanting for man to be pleased and not God pleased) was his hypocrisy. How hypocrisy? There is no way Peter continued to think that Jesus going to the cross and being crucified was not a "God stance choice". Peter also eventually understood that his previous personal choice to be pleased by Jesus not going to the cross was a choice that was not to take priority over the choice of God being pleased for his son - Jesus to go to the cross.
So, there is much goodness for both God and man and not negativity and not condemning (not belittling of man) when properly understanding the principle of "pleasing God and not man". I pray that this explanation helps calm inner irritations, denounces senses of personal belittling, and casts down thoughts of self-dignity being raped when hearing or thinking about "Man not being pleased". Please understand that it's about choice and not unconcern towards man. Again, the Holy bible makes it literally clear about honoring and pleasing man. Jesus was not unconcerned towards Peter when he told Peter he should change his choice. You and your families have a wonderful day!
"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 a servant of Christ". Galatians 1:10
"Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free". Ephesians 6:6-8
"But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing man, but God, which trieth our hearts". 1 Thessalonians 2:4
"Honour all men, Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King". 1Peter 2:17
"Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification". Romans 15:2
"Even as I please man in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved'. 1 Corinthians 10:33
"But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of man".
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you". John 16:7
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