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Title: Seeking God’s Favor Rather than Man’s Favor
Text: Luke 6:17-26
Liturgical Date: Epiphany 6C
Calendar Date: February 16, 2025
Location: Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in Door County
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Jackson
Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in Door County serves Fish Creek and other communities throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today, we are reflecting on seeking the favor of God rather than the favor of man. We do so based on these words of Christ our Lord:
Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you, and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven, for that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
The Danger of Seeking Human Approval
The young people today have a term—perhaps not a flattering one—that they use for a certain kind of individual: the “pick me.” A “pick me” is someone who lacks solid convictions, attitudes, or values of their own and instead conforms to the prevailing mood around them, seeking to be liked. Brothers and sisters in Christ, I am afraid that too often, we as Christians fall into the trap of being “pick me” Christians—seeking the approval of the world and, in doing so, risking our very souls.
The Tension in Scripture
There is a tension in Scripture regarding this. On one hand, Jesus says, Blessed are you when people revile you and insult you, and Woe to you when all people speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. This tells us that if we follow God and live as identifiable Christians, rejection by the world is inevitable.
Yet, there is another truth in Scripture. In Acts 2, the early church was thought well of by those around them. Paul, when outlining the qualities of a pastor, states that he must be thought well of by outsiders. So which is it? Are we to be rejected, or to be respected? The answer is not either-or, but a matter of priority.
The Fool’s Errand of Pleasing the World
If we prioritize seeking the favor of man, we are chasing a fool’s errand. First, because it is a path that leads to spiritual destruction. Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. Seeking human approval above all else will turn our hearts away from God. To put it bluntly: Damned is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength. Why? Because humanity is confused—unable to distinguish right from wrong, truth from falsehood.
Consider how the world elevates behaviors and values contrary to God’s will. Drunkenness, substance abuse, and all kinds of immorality are celebrated. If we conform to the world’s values, our hearts will harden against God. We will resist the Holy Spirit to the point that we may even reject His mercy. That is why currying favor with the world is not only dangerous but ultimately deadly—both spiritually and eternally.
Not only this, but human approval is fleeting. The opinions and values that are celebrated today may be condemned tomorrow. Those who once praised you may later reject you. Why then would we place our trust in the shifting opinions of men?
The Favor of God is Different
But seeking the favor of God is entirely different. It is different, first and foremost, because we do not earn God’s favor through our works or efforts. Rather, we receive it through the work of Christ Jesus. He was completely rejected—by Jew and Gentile, by the powerful and the lowly, by men and women alike. The cross of Christ is the ultimate symbol of rejection by the world. Yet, through that rejection, He suffered for our sakes so that we would be acceptable to God. He bore our sins so that we might be forgiven, redeemed, and made righteous.
The Transforming Work of Faith
Through faith in Christ, God transforms our hearts. Hearts that once were cold toward Him and others now beat with love. He pours His love into us, and His law begins to guide that love.
Consider the second table of the Law:
- The Fourth Commandment teaches us to honor father and mother and all legitimate authority.
- The Fifth Commandment calls us not only to refrain from harming our neighbor but to actively help and protect them.
- The Sixth Commandment leads us to uphold marriage and purity.
- The Seventh Commandment directs us to protect our neighbor’s possessions rather than take from them.
- The Eighth Commandment instructs us to speak well of our neighbor and protect their reputation rather than slander them.
- The Ninth and Tenth Commandments urge us to be content and rejoice in the blessings given to our neighbor rather than covet.
When we live in accordance with God’s law out of love, this naturally leads to the favor of others. This is why the early Christians in Acts 2 were thought well of. It is why Paul insisted that pastors could be respected by outsiders—not because they sought human approval as an end in itself, but because they lived lives of integrity and love.
What This Means for Us
So, what does this mean for us?
First, stand firm in your identity as a Christian. Gladly bear the name of Christ, hold to the truths of Scripture without compromise, and live according to God’s will—even if it means being rejected by some. Christ was rejected, and so will His followers be.
Second, as you live out your Christian faith, do so with an attitude of love and service. Do not hold opinions or live differently simply for the sake of being contrary. Instead, seek to serve others, just as Christ has served you.
Third, remain connected to the source of life and strength. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream. That water is the mercy of God in Christ. Each night, examine your life according to God’s Word. Where you have fallen short, confess your sins, for God is faithful and just to forgive you. It is His grace that empowers you to stand firm, to bear fruit, and to love others.
May the Lord bless and strengthen us in His mercy, that we may live lives of love and faithfulness.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.