Seal of Approval

I was reading a passage today in Galatians and it reminded me of the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval”.  Perhaps you have heard of it or even considered it when purchasing something.  The company has a long history dating back to the late 19th century.  On their web page it talks about the history and mission of the Seal.  Part of that article reads:

“On May 2, 1885, Clark W. Bryan published the first edition of Good Housekeeping, setting forth the purpose of the magazine as “a family journal conducted in the interests of the higher life of the household.” He said the publication had a “mission to fulfill compounded of about equal portions of public duty and private enterprise…to produce and perpetuate perfection as may be obtained in the household.“

That is a pretty lofty goal…”to produce and perpetuate perfection as may be obtained in the household“.  Good Housekeeping has gone through many changes through the years, but the seal was, and still is, a significant achievement for any product to receive.

In Galatians 1 Paul, writing starts his letter to the church talking about the issue of a product and manufacturer that did not have the seal of approval.  He was talking about those folks that were teaching a perverted Gospel.  He goes on to write about how those individuals and their product were causing confusion and deception in the church.  The motives of those folks were not to please God in their preaching, but to please man.

In Galatians 1:10 Paul says: “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.” A true servant of Christ seeks to please God in all things.  The care and attention that a pastor or teacher gives to the presentation of the Gospel gives evidence or proof to the One that they are ultimately seeking to get approval from. 

As believers we too should be concerned about the approval of God.  In his letter to the church in Colossi, Paul writes “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24).

As we live our lives for Christ, let us love, serve, and share the truth of Christ with others seeking God’s seal of approval.  That is a seal of approval that is worth pursuing at any price!