Scripture Text: John 5:41-44
How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
John 5:44
We were created to be loving and appreciative. We show our concern and affection to everyone. When someone shows us something fantastic or maybe an amazing experience, we applaud them. Sometimes, hearing motivating words or advice fitting to our situation make us feel grateful for that person. There is nothing wrong for being vocal about praising others and giving them good comments, because you are just telling the person "keep up the good work" and "I am happy for you". Problem comes when you are the one to receive recognition and honor. When everybody is giving you high regard and appreciation, yielding at the top of their voice, "you're the man", "you are very good at everything", "I wish I can be you"—how will you manage this feeling?
This is the hardest problem of the religious leaders and those who profess to be God-loving Jews in the time of our Lord Jesus Christ. They are avid fans of gratification, they wanted everybody to recognize and appreciate all their works, at the stake of disregarding what is really written in the Scripture. They just wanted the approval of men. Jesus proved to them that He is the One sent by God to whom they should put their trust to have eternal life, saying, "you pour over the scripture to have eternal life, and that scripture points to me... why should you not believe me?" It is because if they begin to show belief in Jesus, their popularity will decline and the regard of all will be to Jesus and they don't want it to be that way.
That is why the Lord described them as hypocrites. They were men-pleaser, not God-pleaser. They wanted to be seen praying at common places to be recognized of piety. Not only that, they also placed so much rules that became burdensome to ordinary Jews, but they themselves did not follow it. They did it just to be known as doing many sacrifices for the Lord.
Brothers, we need not follow their ways. To be right with God, never ever think of doing something just to get recognized and honored by the people around. Always bear in your mind that God is watching you all the time and He sees your works and He is ready to reward you in His appointed time. Keep on doing what you know He is telling you to do. Don't get tired even if no one recognizes your works, remember that God sees it all.
Reflect
1. Do you feel flattered when you get honored or appreciated?
2. When no one applauds you after doing something, how do you feel?
3. Do you still worry about what people will say, or do you worry more on what God has to say?
4. Now that you know God is watching every time, will you keep working and seek His approval?
Remember
God's approval or recognition will be our ulterior desire because He doesn't just sees your works on the outside but also sees your heart's condition in the inside. Remember, in everything you will think, say, and do, He will judge it accordingly.
Read
Matthew 15:7-9; Matthew 6:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Pray
Father God, thank You for reminding me that being recognized and appreciated by men will not always mean Your approval and acceptance. Help me and guide me not to be a man-pleaser but to be a God-pleaser. This I pray in Jesus, my Lord's Name. Amen.
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