Wednesday, February 24, 2016

The Source of Praise

Warner Sallman  painting

Scripture Reading: John 12:37-43
Focus Scripture: “for they loved the praise of men more than praise from God.” John 12:43 (NIV)

               They Jews refrained from telling others about their faith experience with Jesus. They feared they would be put out of their house of worship. This is a very real fear in the hearts of a devout believer.
“They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

               I find these last words, our focus verse, very sad. Yet, in our 21st Century don’t we see people every day that also have this motive? We seem to see people who do kind things not from the goodness of their hearts but their motive is so they can boast to others. They choose to do this so those who hear of their actions will build them up.

               I recently was privy to someone’s kindness and sat in on an impromptu meeting where this praise issue came up. The members of this small group were of the same mind about being thanked by other people for certain acts of kindness. The praise of man, if we accept it, will be all we get.

               Dear Father God: Please forgive us for being in love with man’s praises. Remold us to Your liking so that we reflect You to those around us. We will give You the praise. We ask this out of Your grace for us. In the Name of
Jesus, we pray. AMEN


2 comments:

  1. Hi Cecelia! I think it's human weakness to want human praise. Sometimes, we have no other way to know if we're on the right track. But I know what the Scriptures are getting at. Who do we work for? God or man? We are given every good thing from God, so to Him be the glory. And yes! May He remold us to His liking!
    Blessings,
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ceil: This is a topic that I believe that Christians will have to deal with as time grows shorter. Blessings to you and yours.

      Delete

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