Whose Approval Matters?
Often we find Jesus’ teachings countercultural and even counterintuitive. Certainly this was Jesus’ intention. Jesus did not intend life in God’s kingdom to be identical with life in this world. Recently I was reading the Gospel of Luke and ran into this gem: “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:26)
To modern ears, this sounds almost blasphemous. How could it be that someone might not like us or speak well of us? Likability and cultural approval weigh heavily on our priorities today. In fact, many Christians today distinguish themselves by their inoffensive demeanors. Unlike our less sophisticated forefathers, we are the generation who will stop offending unbelievers. We are going to get it right and show the world that we are nicer than anyone. Even though such a status would seem desirable, Jesus tells us it is not a virtue to be universally loved and praised.
Jesus spared no arrows here. Far from being a virtue, Jesus says that universal adulation is a sign of apostate religion. It is the sure sign of a false prophet. After all, Jesus himself had plenty of detractors and if we mean to follow Him we will as well.
Luke 6:26 does not mean that Christians should seek to be offensive, only that we should be concerned if no one is ever offended. If our message is so palatable and agreeable that everyone commends us, it is not the Gospel we are preaching. Jesus didn't mince words or pull punches. He called people to "repent" and "believe." He told us to "deny ourselves" and "take up our cross." Confrontational messages like this don't always win friends.
Instead of striving for praise from men, we strive for praise from God: "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10.