^{Who Are You Seeking To Please?}

 

What determines whether or not someone has a sincere heart?  Is it the words that they use to ensure people of their sincerity?  Is it a gut feeling?  A principle that Paul explained in Colossians 3:22, might be helpful in establishing the sincerity of one’s heart.  He entreated those who were slaves to “obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.”

 

            So, what did Paul say is proof of a sincere heart?  He encouraged those slaves to obey their masters “not by way of eye-service,” or as “people-pleasers.”  In other words, don’t just obey while your master can see you, but always!  That is sincerity!  A sincere person will be the same whether the world is watching, or he is completely alone. 

 

            For Christians, sincerity is imperative in all aspects of life.  Of course, we must live for God all the time, not just when others are watching.  But Paul went on to explain that we should do everything we do with the sincere heart that he described.  He said, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.  You are serving the Lord Christ” (Col 3:23-24).  Our heavenly reward should be on our minds as we do anything in our daily lives.  If you feel mistreated at work and you are tempted to offer less than your best to your boss, don’t work for him, work as you were working for the Lord!  If you don’t feel motivated to complete your school work, do it as if for the Lord, “knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.” 

 

Of course, these are not the most important things in life.  Our earthly bosses, school teachers, friends, etc. will not be rewarding us with eternal life.  So, we should be careful to balance our attention and efforts according to importance.  The Lord, His church, and our own spiritual lives should receive the majority of our time and energy.  Who are you seeking to please?

----Darrell Powell