It Starts Small

¹⁰ For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

¹¹ For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. ¹² For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:10-12

persuade people, or God

Paul is driven by an unwavering desire to please God, a fire fueling his defense of his credentials. This deep-rooted passion ignites his righteous anger against false teachings that threaten the truth. He is not motivated by selfish ambitions. He does not wish to enhance his reputation or amass power for himself. He asserts that pursuing his interests would mean he wouldn’t be a true servant of Christ. Consider this: Paul was a relentless missionary. He endured immense suffering and countless trials. He did all this for the sake of his divine calling. He never amassed any material wealth. His commitment to spreading the gospel was so profound that he possibly forwent marriage, dedicating himself entirely to his mission. Ultimately, he met a martyr’s death, a testament to his fervent faith and unshakeable devotion.

Paul’s actions were not driven by a desire for personal gain. He did not pursue a lofty reputation. Instead, he was fueled by an unwavering commitment to please God. This profound dedication serves as a remarkable testament, embodying the most impactful legacy one can aspire to leave behind.

Can you passionately proclaim the same truth? Can you boldly assert that your ultimate aim is to please God rather than merely seeking the approval of people? If we were to stand trial today, would we be judged as steadfast as Paul? Or would we perhaps be found lacking? Would we be guilty of living out and speaking the True Gospel? Or would we be guilty of living out and speaking a false gospel?

human origin

This is an absolutely pivotal point! If the gospel were merely of human origin, it would have flaws. It would desperately need change, enhancement, and adaptation to meet the demands of the times. If the gospel were solely man’s opinion, there would be no solid foundation to anchor such unwavering confidence. Paul received this gospel directly from Christ through divine revelation. Therefore, he could stand firm, filled with indomitable confidence in its truth!

We must possess an unwavering, passionate confidence in God’s Word! Just as Paul was divinely blessed with revelation from Christ, we too are recipients of this incredible gift. The Bible stands as God’s magnificent revelation to us, proclaiming the ultimate truth! Every single word spoken by God will undeniably come to fruition, and every promise will be fulfilled without fail. Do you harbor the same fervent trust in God’s Word that Paul exemplified? If you do, consider how this profound confidence will ignite your life, influence your decisions, and shape your words!

---

Cross References:

• 1 Thessalonians 2:4
• John 12:43
• Colossians 3:23
• Hebrews 13:16

Questions to Ponder:

• What is Paul’s point in verse ten?
• Whom should we strive to please?
• What other verses can you think of on this topic?
• How can you ensure that your motivations are in the right place?
• Why is it important that the gospel is from God and not from man?
• How does this affect you as you share the gospel with others?

---

© Kimberlee Smith 2026 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.