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| 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
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!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Ceil
Ceil: This is a topic that I believe that Christians will have to deal with as time grows shorter. Blessings to you and yours.
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