We previously looked at whether trying to make a good impression is biblical. Using 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, we concluded that it’s biblical if done for God’s glory and people’s good. That speaks to our motivations. Anything we do to the glory of God will also end up being for people’s good. We should therefore make God’s glory the top priority.
The Primary Reason for Seeking to Impress People
We can come up with all sorts of good-sounding reasons for trying to impress people. First and foremost, however, it should be about glorifying God. That removes any motivation related to boasting about our efforts.
Think about it: God doesn’t need us to draw people to Himself. He often displays His grace and power through our weaknesses so there’s no room for boasting. — “Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'” (1 Cor. 1:26-31)
Discerning if Motivation for Making a Good Impression is for the Glory of God
We would do well to pray, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24) To help us make sure there aren’t any offensive ways in us, we should ask ourselves questions from different angles.
- Are we keeping the spotlight on God?
When making a good impression becomes about us, and how we look to others, we’re crossing the line in our motivation. We need to keep putting the focus on God. He’s the one to be lifted up.
- Are we sure to give God the credit?
If we get upset when people fail to acknowledge what we’ve done, we’re probably trying to impress them for personal applause. We need to be most concerned about God being praised. He’s the one to be honored.
- Are we careful to stay true to, and align with, God and His Word?
Compromising to draw people in does not glorify God. We need to always do that which aligns to the character and ways of God for Him to be glorified. He’s the one to be reflected.
Please treat this topic for me and my discipleship class. “Who Is Jesus? “How do I start? Do I start from the Divinity of Jesus Christ? Thanks
What people really need to know when asking, “Who is Jesus?”, is that He’s the One who came and died in our place for the punishment our sin deserves. He rose again so we too can live through Him. The Gospel “is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). The next question could be “What qualifies Jesus to be our Savior?”. That comes down to settling the issue of His identity. The response does indeed include His divinity. If He was merely human, He too would be sinful and His sacrifice would be insufficient to save us. But, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). With that understanding, people should then be ready to accept claims that Jesus made about Himself. As God, He is fully qualified to be the way, truth, and life. He can indeed be the Bread of Life, Light of the world, Good Shepherd, etc. He is also fully capable of doing what we read in the Gospel Books of the Bible.
If you go to Ministry Resources: Christology – Doctrine of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, you’ll find resources to help with these questions. It’s divided into categories of who Jesus is, what Jesus did, and what He currently does and is yet to do. This could provide a good order for your discipleship class.