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LIFE MEETS THEOLOGY: Our Need for Approval
by Greg Williamson (c) 2007
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
LIFE: In the animated movie A Bug's Life, a colony of ants living on an island are forced to prepare an annual food offering for a group of ghastly grasshoppers. But then an accident occurs which ruins the offering and greatly upsets the grasshoppers. That's when the main character, an ant named Flik, sets out on an unprecedented expedition to find "warrior bugs" who can help the ants rid themselves of the horrifying grasshoppers once and for all.
Through a series of comical errors, Flik winds up recruiting a band of circus bugs who think they have been booked for a performance. When the circus bugs discover the truth, however, they quickly decide to exit stage right. Just as quickly, they change their minds and decide to stay. The reason? Approval. First they are swamped with roaring applause, and then inundated with autograph-seeking adolescent ants. Later, when their secretly scheduled departure time is at hand, they offer shallow-sounding excuses in order to stay and help.
THEOLOGY: Approval is a very powerful motivator. When taken to dangerous extremes, it can lead people to commit astounding atrocities. When kept in healthy balance, however, it can help to affirm the fact that one's efforts have not been in vain, which in turn helps to affirm our personal sense of worth and value. I know, I know: Our personal sense of worth and value should not be based on what we do or on what others think of us. Right? Well, yes and no. The fact is that our actions reveal what is most important to us. And while we should never be motivated purely by the need for approval, we should regularly take stock of our actions to determine if our behavior is lining up with our professed beliefs.
Hebrews 11 is the great "faith chapter" that highlights the all-importance of faith. The first two verses read: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval" (NASB). Then begins a long list of people whose faith was tested and confirmed by their faithfulness during many and various trials and tribulations. Then comes v. 39: "And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised" (NASB). As the NET Bible puts it: "And these all were commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised" (NET). "The expression these all were commended forms an inclusio with Heb 11:2: The chapter begins and ends with references to commendation [a.k.a. approval] for faith" (NET).
While there is much that could be said regarding these verses, my point is simply that our faith is proved by our actions, and our faithful (or faith-filled) actions result in God's approval. Just as God disapproves when we do wrong due to a lack of faith (or trust) in him, he approves when we do right because we have faith in (or trust) him. Bottom line: God is pleased when we live faithfully, and he is displeased when we don't.
In that respect, every believer should be living so as to receive God's approval. While we cannot please everyone all the time (nor should we try), as long as we are being true to God's Word, the Bible, to the best of our knowledge and ability, we are on the right path.
Lord: Help me To live today In such a way As to one day Hear you say "Well done, good and faithful servant." |
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