It seems accurate to say that one of the greatest inward desires of man is the desire to be accepted. We often talk boldly about not caring what others think, but deep down we will often find that even that statement originates within our deep desire for acceptance. It affects how we dress, how we speak and our efforts to excel in the activities and hobbies we choose.
For the true Christian believer this puts us in a very troubling position, because Christianity has always been counter-cultural. At the core of every believer is a reality that addresses our culture with a conflict. A true life of wisdom and righteousness is a quiet, though unavoidable, rebuke of our culture. This reality is in conflict with every man’s deep desire for acceptance. It is a reality that must be dealt with if we are to excel in the Christian life. The only solution is to have a stronger desire to please our Savior.
Peter addressed this matter in his first epistle:
1 Peter 4:3-4 (KJV)
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
If you haven’t got past this hurtle in the Christian life you will find yourself in continual conflict with your conscience. I encourage you to surrender your desire for this world’s acceptance and seek our Savior’s acceptance alone. In the end His words, “well done thou good and faithful servant”, will be sufficient satisfaction for a life well lived.
