II Timothy 2:15 adjures: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed …”. The words “approved to GOD” are key here. They remind us that it is not any man or human organization to whom we are ultimately accountable; rather it is GOD by Whom we are to seek to be approved.

Remember where your ultimate accountability is. “Be diligent”, yes – but not so that you may win the approval of men with your efforts, but that of God. The fact is, what the one approves, the Other often absolutely disapproves! Make sure you are being diligent in order to be approved by HIM! Let not the sad words of John 12:43 be imprinted across the story of your life: “For they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.”