Jan 9, 2023

Approval Rating

Nº 232

weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - January 10, 2023

It is better to have God’s approval, than the world’s applause: there is a time shortly coming when a smile from God’s face will be infinitely better than all the applause of men: how sweet will that word be, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” - Thomas Brooks

We live in a world of opinion polls. Researchers gather data and analyze whether a politician’s or celebrity’s public approval rating is moving up or down. Anyone who wants to stay in office or remain popular is sensitive to the direction of their poll numbers. Decisions are often made based upon the anticipated impact on their approval ratings!

On matters of methodology, Paul was sensitive to ‘opinion polls,’ and adapted his approach as necessary to find common ground, build relationships, and start redemptive conversations. “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel.” (I Corinthians 9:22-23a)

But when it came to issues of morality and message, Paul threw caution to the wind and had no regard for the fleeting opinions of the people around him. He lived for an audience of One. He told the church at Thessalonica, “We are not trying to please men, but God, who tests our hearts.” (I Thessalonians 2:4b)

Oddly, the more we care about the approval of the world, the more we jeopardize hearing the ultimate assessment: “well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc.