Paul had to go against the social stream of his peers as he followed the Messiah. He said, “If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ” Gal 1:10 (NRSV). It is far easier than we think to be shaped by trying to please those around us. We subtly and subconsciously adapt. Following the Messiah may mean rejection and hostility. Going with Him may mean that we can no longer “go along to get along”. At times we may feel very alone. Our goal is certainly not to be an odd contrarian. It is simply to follow Jesus wherever He leads us and not allow our peers to determine that.
“If we please God does it matter whom we displease? If we displease God does it matter whom we please?”- Leonard Ravenhill
