Nuggets from "An Urgent Call to a Serious Faith" by Dave Hunt - Seeking the Approval of God Alone

Yes, we must be open to valid criticism and correction that is factual and supported by God’s Word – not in order to please men, but God alone. We must be careful not to be defensive of our own reputations. All that matters is God’s will and glory, and what God and Christ will pronounce upon one’s life in that rapidly oncoming moment of ultimate truth. This fact, together with a constant awareness of God’s love and care, provide the motivation and direction for the way in which we must use our fast diminishing moments on this earth.

We neither seek the praise of men nor fear their rebuke. It is the Lord only whom we serve, seeking to follow His Word and to please Him alone. Yes, we must be the “servants of all” (Mark:10:44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
See All...; Hebrews:3:5And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
See All...), but we do it “for the Lord’s sake” (1 Peter:2:13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
See All...), not “as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians:6:6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
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To the extent that we serve men for the rewards they offer, God is not real to us. What folly to barter away an eternal reward in exchange for anything this brief life and its temporary bankrupt tenants can offer! Even the Latin poet Juvenal, from a humanistic standpoint, wrote, “Consider it the greatest of crimes to prefer survival to honor and, out of love of physical life, to lose the very reason for living.”

Christ rebuked the Pharisees with these words: “How can ye believe [be men of faith], which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” (John:5:44How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
See All...).  Why can’t we receive honor both from men and God? For a number of reasons. Christ said it is impossible “to serve two masters,” especially “God and mammon [riches; that is, worldly reward]” (Matthew:6:24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
See All...). Those who attempt to do so find their hearts torn and consciences dulled as the things of this life and opinions of men prove to be more real than is God himself.