We live in a world where it has standardized standards in almost every industry. This means that people, systems, and procedures must meet a certain standard of industry before they are approved to function and operate in the role they have. For example, a commercial airliner must meet the requirements for safety to continue flying. At the same time, the pilots who fly the airplanes, have to have licensing/certification to be approved to fly and to operate as a pilot for years to come.
We also have a need to be approved by others to feel good about ourselves and our surroundings. The challenge is that that the standard of approval is not objective but fluid and ever-changing. In the early stages of life, we relish the approval of parents. Later on, our friends’ approval is very important to us. As we become adults, the approval of others is more varied and uncertain. It seems as if we need the approval of others for variety of roles, such as being a good spouse, parent, coworker, friend, Christian, and so on.
In order to gain the approval of men, we strive to prove ourselves to others. If we get a pat on the back, it motivates us to do more, so we can get more approval. If this cycle continues to go on, it makes us dependent on others for our happiness and value.
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 1 Corinthians 7:23
Jesus bought us with the price of His blood and broke the power of others’ opinion over us. If we depend on the approval of others, we have to put ourselves under the bondage of slavery to another person. We are no longer free to be who God has created us to be because we are fearful of losing approval of others. We learn the right actions and the perfect vocabulary, but after a while, we don’t know who we are anymore. We have become a person who has lost his/her identity in order to be approved by others.
The one who has the power to establish a standard, has the ultimate power for seal of approval. In our case, the Lord establishes the standard. Many times, people’s standard is subjective, and it is based on their preferences. If we see the difference between God’s standard and someone’s preference, we no longer have to put ourselves under the bondage of someone else’s opinion and standard!
I will continue with this subject in the next devotional.
