Whose Approval Do You Seek?

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

Before becoming the Apostle Paul, Saul was one of the loudest and most opposing voices against Christianity.

Then he met Jesus.

The meeting—on the road to Damascus—was divine in nature and led to a complete conversion, a changing of the tides in the most monumental of ways. Paul went from adversary to ally in a matter of moments and spent the next thirty-five years proclaiming the gospel to anyone who would listen.

2 Timothy was Paul’s final letter in the Bible. He knew his days were numbered, yet he expressed no fear—only faith. Once again imprisoned, Paul wrote one last appeal to the Church, inviting believers to suffer alongside him:

“Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.”
— 2 Timothy 2:3–4

Civilian affairs.
Are you entangled, my friend?

Suffering for the sake of Jesus doesn’t have to look like Paul’s story. Maybe you’re not sitting in a Roman prison cell awaiting execution—but maybe you feel like an outcast. Maybe you’ve been labeled the “Jesus freak,” laughed at for the faith that feeds you. Maybe you’ve been excluded from certain gatherings because your presence makes others uncomfortable.

Whatever it may be, we were told it wouldn’t be easy.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” — 2 Timothy 3:12

And persecuted we will be.

When it comes down to it, you have a choice—and it’s not an easy one. What matters more to you: the acceptance of the world or the acceptance of God?

I know that question can feel like an ultimatum. And while John 3:16 reminds us that belief in Jesus as Lord is our true key to heaven, God still knows our hearts. He knows that entangling ourselves in “civilian affairs” will never bring the peace or satisfaction that comes from pleasing our “commanding officer.”

Our Father loves us so deeply that He’s provided guardrails—boundaries meant to protect us from veering off the cliff entirely. And when we do fall? He is our safety net. Our saving grace.

So, like Paul, fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Easy? No. Worth it? Yes.

Reflection: What’s one small way you can “fight the good fight” this week—keeping your eyes fixed on the One who already won the battle for you?