Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to please men, or God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
MacArthur's reminder reminds me of Paul's heart in Galatians. Preachers, and indeed every Christian, are not called to seek applause from men, but to faithfully preach Christ through the cross. The world often demands compromise and pandering, but the gospel needs no embellishment. True love is not about pleasing others, but about illuminating hearts with truth. If I care about people's preferences, I will lose my identity as a servant of the Lord. Only by keeping my eyes fixed on God can I have the courage to uphold the truth.
Dear Heavenly Father, grant me a heart that seeks only to please You, unaffected by the opinions of others. May I boldly preach the gospel of Christ and His crucifixion in the midst of this dark age, fearless of rejection and ridicule. Grant me the wisdom and love to tenderly bear witness to Your grace without compromising the truth. May I live a life of faithfulness to Your Word and be a servant who pleases You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.