Influence is a really hot commodity in our generation. It has such a high value to us that you can now strive to be an Influencer as a position and job. Social media has perpetuated this by giving us more access to people than has ever been possible in history. It is actually astounding to think about the access to human influence that any given person may possibly have due to technology....I know this first hand from attending an online university and connecting to people around the world as a result (some of my best friends were established through Zoom and Marco Polo!)
I believe that we desire to influence because we desire significance- each one of us wants to feel like the way we are living life is actually making a difference in the world and people around us. We want to be affirmed and validated, that's why a "like" button even exists. On the flip side, in the pursuit of significance there can be a slippery slope of attaching this to one's identity...if you base your significance on the affirmation of the world around you, you become limited and driven by the amount of people that LIKE you rather than being fulfilled and operating out of the position of being designed to just be YOU regardless how many people you think you're influencing and if people like or dislike you---influence is not measured by emotion, it is measured by attention.
So-What influence are you giving your attention to? Influence does not tell you what to think, it frames how you do....
Influence is not measured by reaction (emotion), it is measured by attention
Coming back to Galatians this morning, this is what I feel God resting on as we continue through Chapter 2.
Galatians 2:6-10
As for those who were held in high esteem- whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism- they added nothing to my message. On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.
"As for those who were held in high esteem- whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism- they added nothing to my message" vs 6
It's interesting to me that Paul makes it a point to highlight his interaction with people of notable influence. He specifically addresses that AS he encountered people of esteem (his goal was not to meet these folks) it was not their position or influence that he sought---that wasn't important and had zero effect on the nature or power of the Gospel.....think about that, in our own lives, sharing the Gospel is not measured by the kind of people that we meet (esteemed or not), the people we interact with aren't the measurement of our effectiveness- the Gospel is complete and effective and always at work for ourselves and those around us....when we start measuring our effectiveness by the connections we have rather than by the relationships we have, we've missed the point. Paul's point was that he recognized that he had a calling to the gentiles as Peter did to the Jews (circumcised, IE those of the old covenant). The influencers (or those of high-esteem) were recognized by Paul as further witnesses to his calling. While their position and reputation added nothing to his message, their affirmation and recognization of his calling gave additional credibility to his specific anointing with the Gentiles. Again, hammering home to the Galatians that the Gospel he shared with them IS the correct and only Gospel.
I learn in this that my calling and destiny does not have added value in relation to the connections or level of influencers I come in contact with, but that the connections and level of influencers are used by God as confirmation of those exact things. We don't need to go looking for affirmation- God will bring it to us- thank goodness! That way we aren't motivated by the opinions of the esteemed and yet can also recognize the "stamp of approval" from God when it comes from these exact people.
The next part is equally interesting to me in that "God does not show favoritism". Paul says this after addressing his position on being unimpressed with esteemed people (I say unimpressed, but I interject here that I'm sure Paul was not without honor or recognition of these people, but that their position of influence did not cause him to desire their affirmation over the Lord's- that an important distinction).
So if God does not show favoritism and yet He does bestow favor and in varying degrees (think about the parables Jesus taught on stewardship with the minas), why does Paul say this?
I think he says it to remind his audience that they are no more loved and revered than he is by God. It is an intentional assertion to bring attention to the fact that God is not impressed with position or influence- He sees everyone with equal value. This would have been in stark contrast with what those persuading them back into the old convenant ways where position and influence in the church was greatly revered and even seen as measurable in relationship with God.....How many times do we feel more holy because of our practices, rituals, denominations, etc? God doesn't show favoritism to Catholics anymore than He does to Lutherans, Pentecostals or Methodists......how many of us have sneakily placed identity in a denomination rather than Jesus? How many of us use our denomination as a measuring stick for those around us, heck for our friends that attend other churches? Another post for another day- but worth hanging out on for a second.
Moving on.
While Paul is not impressed with the position of influence of those he came across- He did recognize that their "stamp of approval" on his missions and spreading of the Gospel was, in fact, important. These people were not impressive to God by position or influence, BUT they were stewarding their favor well and by recognizing the grace on Paul's life to go to the Gentiles (just as Peter had been commissioned to do for the Jewish church)- the credibility of what Paul was doing became further enforced. Get the difference? Famous or influential people don't add to the Gospel- getting to connect with people like this is NOT the goal. However, God will use the favor He has given to people to aid in what He's doing. I'd like to add one thing here that I read between the lines: Don't look for the world around you to qualify what God is doing through you, yet be aware if He brings you to those people to edify or confirm what He's doing (this is called favor! Recognizing Favor is important when recognizing what God is up to).... and, We've talked about the multiple witness numerous times already. God loves to confirm and let us know we're on the right track, but a confirmation comes from HIM- perhaps through a person- but we seek HIS confirmation NOT the adoration of people.
I love how Paul finishes this thought with the fact that the only thing requested (REQUESTED NOT REQUIRED) was that Paul remember the poor. I'd be willing to bet- and I don't have a great depth of knowledge going into this particular thought- that other religious sects of this time probably had some strict rules going on if you were going to represent them. I mean the Galatians were being heavily persuaded to be circumcised before they were to be taken seriously- ouch. Paul's run in and validation with some of the apostles as well as these esteemed members of society ended at this point with a blessing and a request to remember the poor on his way. It has that old Sunday School hymn ringing in my head "They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love." The Gospel really is that good. It is complete, perfect and accessible to anyone willing to receive it. It's an interesting thought for me to ask myself in all my desire to demonstrate and teach and equip others in all Jesus has made available- have I remembered the poor? Maybe a little bit of rabbit trail, but it is all they asked of Paul. It is worth noting that most of the Gentile converts were financially stable while there were many poor in Jerusalem due to a severe famine. Paul had already been collecting funds for these people before it was ever asked of him to do so (Acts 11:28-30; Acts 24:17, Romans 15:25-29; I Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8). He was around people that generally weren't in need, but made it a habit to collect for those that were regardless of the social needs immediately around him.....How many of us live in communities that are financially or spiritually stable? Do we make it a point to be aware of those in need and how we can help? What habits can we establish in our lives that make us a resource to those in need when the time arises?
Let's close today in prayer :)
God-
Thank-you for the Bible. Thank-you for our access to it and thank-you Holy Spirit for giving us understanding and wisdom as we read with you. Thank-you for our lives and the unique ways that you have designed and called and empowered each one of us to get to know you and make you known to our world around us. Whether that is parenting littles, working 9-5 in the workforce, being a student, leading a country or acting in movies- give us the awareness of the completion and wonder of your Good News Jesus that is not added to in any way by position or title, but is a perfect gift distributed in billions of unique ways and lives intentionally by you through us. Teach us to steward our own favor and our own influence well that many, many more would come to know you. We love you, Jesus and seal this all in your holy name, Amen.
It's amazing how much you can glean from the Bible when you go slow, huh? It's also amazing how much more there is every single time you do. I don't pretend to suggest that I have great wisdom or understanding of scripture, but I am willing to go through my process with you to show you what it is to fall in love with the depth of all God has for us in His word- it really is awe-inspiring to me.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and what you are finding in this process, what you have dug deeper in to, pieces of knowledge to add, anything! I can't wait to learn from you!
Lyns
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can possibly ask for or imagine according to the power at work within us"
Ephesians 3:20
Would love to hear your thoughts!!! Add them here!!!