An Audience of One – Surrendering to Christ
Pastor Joseph Clark

Have you ever caught yourself talking about God as though He isn’t right there with you? Or compromising your faith just to fit in, avoid conflict, or win someone’s approval? Many believers struggle with this—but the truth is, we are called to live for an audience of One.

At the funeral of a dear sister in Christ, I heard it said that she “lived for an audience of One.” That phrase has stayed with me, because it perfectly captures the believer’s calling—to love and serve the Lord above all else.

God commands in Deuteronomy 6:5:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

And the Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:17:

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

To live this way means we refuse to compromise our loyalty to Christ—even when it costs us. I know a man whose spouse rejected his newfound faith and eventually left him. He chose to remain steadfast, trusting God’s grace to sustain him.

Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:1–2:

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above… Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

That means:

When insulted, respond in a way that honors God (Romans 12:17–21).

When among unbelievers, don’t hide your faith (Luke 9:26).

When tempted, turn your eyes to Christ (Hebrews 12:1–2).

Sometimes, obedience will cost us the approval of others—but Acts 5:29 reminds us:

“We must obey God rather than men.”

This is not self-effort alone. It is God’s grace at work in us, empowering us to live faithfully. When we set our hearts on Him, we find the courage and strength to please the only One whose opinion matters for eternity—our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.