Faithfulness in Obscurity: Living for Christ’s Approval
Faithfulness in Obscurity: Living for Christ’s Approval
The world often overlooks or even dismisses the legacy of those who are faithful to Christ. True greatness in God’s eyes is not measured by public recognition or earthly reward, but by steadfastness in the face of hardship and obscurity. The story of John Knox reminds us that risking everything for Christ may not bring applause, but it does bring the approval of the One whose opinion matters most.
God sees every act of faithfulness, even when no one else does. Our motivation must be to please Christ, trusting that He will one day set all things right. When we live for His approval rather than the praise of people, we find courage to persevere, even when our efforts seem unnoticed or unappreciated.
Hebrews 6:10-11 (KJV): “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:”
Reflection: Is there an area where you feel your faithfulness is going unnoticed or unappreciated? How can you shift your focus from seeking recognition to seeking Christ’s approval today?
To listen to the sermon that correspond with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
The world often overlooks or even dismisses the legacy of those who are faithful to Christ. True greatness in God’s eyes is not measured by public recognition or earthly reward, but by steadfastness in the face of hardship and obscurity. The story of John Knox reminds us that risking everything for Christ may not bring applause, but it does bring the approval of the One whose opinion matters most.
God sees every act of faithfulness, even when no one else does. Our motivation must be to please Christ, trusting that He will one day set all things right. When we live for His approval rather than the praise of people, we find courage to persevere, even when our efforts seem unnoticed or unappreciated.
Hebrews 6:10-11 (KJV): “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:”
Reflection: Is there an area where you feel your faithfulness is going unnoticed or unappreciated? How can you shift your focus from seeking recognition to seeking Christ’s approval today?
To listen to the sermon that correspond with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
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Archive
2025
January
The Essence of God's HolinessGuarding Against FamiliarityThe Transcendence of God's HolinessReflecting God's Holiness in Our LivesEmbracing the Fullness of WorshipTimeless Truths for Today's ChurchUnwavering Faith in AdversityThe Majesty of Jesus RevealedLoving Jesus and His ChurchThe Urgency of Salvation
February
Shifting Focus from Self to JesusPersevering Through Tribulations with Christ's StrengthWorshiping in Faith Amidst StrugglesServing the Church with Love and DedicationEngaging in Spiritual Warfare with AwarenessPerseverance Through Shared StrengthWorship Beyond CircumstancesBuilding the Church Through ServiceEmbracing Jesus' Priestly RoleLiving Fearlessly in His PresenceGod Places Us in Strategic LocationsGood Works as a Reflection of FaithHolding Fast to the TruthPerseverance in TrialsReturning to Our First LoveTruth and Love in HarmonyGuided by the SpiritChoosing Compassion Over ContemptThe Call to Personal RepentanceEmbracing Jesus as a Living Person
March
Faithfulness Amidst TrialsBeauty Through SufferingThe Cost of CompromiseThe Promise of Eternal LifeLiving SacrificiallyThe Subtle Drift of CompromiseRecognizing the Reality of Spiritual WarfareSteadfast Faith in the Face of PersecutionGuarding Against Worldly InfluenceThe Timeless Truth of ScriptureFaithfulness Amidst AdversityNo Justification for SinThe Perils of CompromiseThe Urgency of RepentanceEmbracing a New Identity in ChristDiscernment in ToleranceRecognizing Christ's AuthorityAvoiding the Pitfall of CompromiseEmbracing the Call to RepentanceThe Promise of Eternal RewardSpiritual Vitality Over Religious Activity
April
Personal Responsibility in FaithThe Danger of RoutineRecognizing Modern IdolatryThe Mission Field at Our DoorstepFaithfulness Beyond CircumstancesReturning to the BasicsStrength in WeaknessAttentiveness to God's PrioritiesEndurance for Eternal RewardTrue Wealth Lies in Spiritual RichesThe Peril of Lukewarm FaithEmbracing Correction as an Act of LovePersonal Responsibility in FaithSharing in Christ's Sovereign RuleForgiveness Beyond GuiltResurrection and New BeginningsGrace Overcomes Sin's SeverityFulfillment Through ForgivenessJesus, Our MediatorJoy Anchored in Christ, Not CircumstancesThe Emptiness of Cultural PromisesThe Pitfall of Superficial Religion
May
Identity and Joy in ChristThe Communal Joy of the GospelLoneliness Is a Spiritual Wound Needing Divine HealingGrace and Peace Flow from Repentance and ForgivenessGospel Fellowship Unites Beyond All DifferencesChrist Redeems Our Painful MemoriesJoy Is a Settled Confidence in God’s GoodnessFaith Is Forged in the Fires of CrisisObedience Precedes the MiracleGod’s Ways Transcend Human LogicSelfless Faith Becomes a Channel for BlessingSurrendered Resources Become Miraculous ProvisionJoy Grows Through Gospel-Driven PartnershipFaithfulness in the Ordinary Matters Deeply to GodGod’s Transforming Work in You Is Unfinished but CertainReal Fellowship Means Sharing Both Grace and StruggleJoy Flourishes When We Lean on God in WeaknessFreedom’s Cost Echoes in Every Liberty We HoldRemembrance Guards the Heart of Our ValuesGod’s People Are Called to RememberLove That Crosses Every BoundaryThe Cross—Our Everlasting Memorial of Grace
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