The first person that comes to mind (after Jesus) who was completely free of the opinion of men is the apostle Paul.
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10
Paul was persecuted, beaten, and slandered (1. Corinthians 4:8-13). But that didn’t stop him from boldly proclaiming the gospel wherever he went. How could he be so courageous? Why didn’t he care about the opinion of people and how can we become free as well?
Paul didn’t care about the opinion of people because he was solely focused on God. Let me give you an illustration that will mark my point:
Imagine a photographer standing on top of a mountain surrounded by the most beautiful scenery nature has to offer. He’s trying to find the best way to capture the colorful facets of a sunrise above a sea of fog. Captivated by the beauty of nature, a good photographer tries to capture the landscape in its full splendor. His mind is solely wrapped around his mission trying to get the best shot of his beautiful surroundings. Creativity at its best is fully captivated by the very thing it creates.
But if that photographer just captures the landscape for the sake of making a profit, he won’t value the sunrise for what it is. He can’t even let himself get drawn into its beauty to perform art that values creation. On top of that mountain, looking at a marvelous sunrise, he’s primarily focused on himself and his reputation. With that attitude, he’ll never value the objects or people he portrays for who they are with their beauty and character, but he will be guided by the opinions of other people.
A photographer focused on himself will return home as soon as he has a shot that people will like and admire.
But a photographer who is captivated by the object itself, nature in our case, will stay and put in the work to make sure that his pictures fully encompass the beautiful scenery.
Both of them probably took a beautiful picture. Both can attain worldly success with their photography. But only one is in alignment with God’s will because he cares about our hearts (Matthew 15:18-20 / Ezekiel 36:26 / Jeremiah 17:10 / 1 Samuel 16:7 to name a few). I am convinced that only the photographer who is completely fixated on the landscape will enjoy what he does in the long run. He has the energy and the passion it takes to persevere until the end. He is fulfilled and satisfied with what he is doing.
I believe Paul was like that first photographer, fully absorbed in his work. Spreading the gospel, the churches he founded, and the people he served were the first thing on his mind every day, all for the glory of God.
He was singularly focused on Christ.
Paul didn’t make a name for himself but delighted in the grander vision of God’s kingdom. Unlike the photographer who doesn’t truly value what he photographs because he’s absorbed in himself, Paul loved God and people. He was able to fulfill the most important commandments (Matthew 22:36-40) because his focus was healthily turned away from himself toward God.
How did he stay fixated on God without giving in to the opinions of others?
He had his eyes set on eternity, the prize, Christ (1. Corinthians 9:24-27).
He prayed without ceasing (1. Thessalonians 5:17 – when he instructed others to pray at all times, he himself prayed that way as well).
Paul described how he sometimes adapted to customs and cultural norms to win people for Christ:
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.1. Corinthians 9:20-22
He didn’t do that to please people, but for the Gospel to be spread.
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 1. Corinthians 9:19
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1. Corinthians 9:23
He knew that everything in his life was intended for Christ. EVERYTHING.
That’s why he could be content in every circumstance (Philippians 4:11-12). His calling, his job, the people he lead, the churches he founded, none of it was about him. He didn’t cling to a reputation or the validation of people. Paul was completely sold out for the mission of God.
When we’re fully captivated by God, his kingdom, and his mission for the world, we’ll ignore others’ opinions of us because we know ourselves hidden in Christ. When we get absorbed in the work God calls us to do whether that’s working a corporate job, running a business, being a mom, or whatever else, we won’t care about what other people think of us. Even more, we’ll do a better job than ever because our whole energy and focus will be on the task in front of us, all for the glory of God.
When we produce work like that, it will be of great quality. It’s funny because the more we do and say things just to be approved of others, the less they’ll respect us. But when we give our best conquering our assignments, other people will respect us and our work. Being focused on God we won’t even care anymore because all we can think of is how to perform our work as best as possible.
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Blessed with your sharing