The Praise of Men

. . . but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. -1 Thess. 2:4

The Apostle Paul speaks within the context of his office as an Apostle. As he was given to build up the Church through clear admonitions, it is essential that he not compromise in word or deed; that he not allow the opinions of others govern his teaching, but rather continue in what Adam taught his children. The same holds for Pastors in the Church to this very hour.

The praise of men will never fall upon a crucified criminal, but the opinions of men see only horror and contempt in the Cross. So it is the chief aim of the Apostle to keep the crucified and risen Christ at the fore as One Who in love sought not the praise of men, but their contempt so that he might bestow on them the precise and best object of praise, namely God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who by His Holy Spirit has taught us that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

It is important, however, not to place the Apostle’s self-description on such a level that it governs every vocation to the extent one may not in good conscience seek to please another person, or seek to win approval. Elsewise the entire entertainment and political spectra, for example, would be under strict condemnation, which in many circles they are.

The office of the Apostle and those who follow in his path, being joined to the Head of the Church, sanctify all vocations, and thereby put into place for one and all the parameters that govern day to day behavior. An entertainer seeks praise. A politician seeks praise. Yes. Neither is committed in their particular stations to preach the Gospel. Both are remanded to the custody of humility and offering praise where praise ultimately is due.

Here I am addressing Christians who struggle with applying their gifts in the world when their gifts truly do invite praise from others. It is not as if the Christian enters into this for the sole purpose of gaining the praise of men, or that the Christian is unaware that all things have been given in Christ. But the Christian serves his neighbor by honing skills and displaying them so that the neighbor may both be served and have double opportunity to heap praise, first upon Creator, and then upon His creation of which the epitome is man.

Without question, because of sin there will always be struggles within Christians as their flesh is constrained by the love of Christ into Whom they are baptized; Who gives identity not only in this life but in the life of the world to come. And yet, because the gift of Life in every way sanctifies all that is taken out into creation, a Christian called to entertain, to do exceedingly well in any sport or business, or even to hanker for votes, may run the race and rest in Christ at the same time.
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