The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:33, “Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” He was referring to external things, things that pertained to his personal rights, not about the truth of Scripture. Our motive must always be to please God because God has already planted the love for God in our hearts upon our salvation. Galatians chapter 1 focuses on our motives.

An unbeliever can never please God. Only we as believers struggle with our motive of whether we are truly pleasing God or man. How can we know if we are pleasing God or man?

1. Who do we serve? (Gal 1:10)

Who is our master? We are never free from a master. Before salvation, sin is our master. After salvation, God is our master. To please someone means to accommodate or compromise and change our view to fit the other person. So, if God is our Master, then we serve Him and we must please Him, not self or sin.

2. What gospel do we preach? (Gal 1:11)

The gospel will offend the sinner. Do we point out to people that they are sinners before God? Or do we sugar-coat the gospel in order to please them and not offend them? What gospel do we preach? Why do we want to dilute the gospel message if not to please people and not offend them? We must please God by preaching the complete gospel, according to Scripture.

3. Who gave us the gospel? (Gal 1:12)

Who do we receive the gospel from? Who calls us and gives us a purpose for our lives? The message and calling that the Apostle Paul received were from the Lord Jesus Christ. Likewise, we received the gospel from the Lord Jesus Christ. We are saved by Christ, and this same Christ called us. We have no right to tamper with the gospel.

Pleasing God or pleasing man will be the longest battle we have to fight. We must not let our guard down. This is the test that we must pass. May God help us to choose wisely, all the days of our lives. May He help us to please Him and Him only.