24 Apr 2026
".. even many of the leading men believed in Him [as Savior and Messiah], but because of the Pharisees they would not confess it, for fear that [if they acknowledged Him openly] they would be put out of the synagogue (excommunicated); for they loved the approval of men more than the approval of God."
~ John 12.42-43
It sounds odd to put the approval of God lower than men. After-life is eternal and men is just years or decades. God controls every aspect of my life and men can only influence a few things. God satisfies through and through; men only on the surface and temporarily at that.
And yet in real life, small decisions happen without deep thought whether it is for the approval of men or God. Truthfully, I do not think much of it, if at all. I need to slow down and reorient my intents, desires, and habits. As much as possible, stop and think: is this for the approval of God or not?
Related: Promised rest (2)