Who's Glory do You Love More?
Welcome to my first blog post. I hope to do a blog post a least once a week to encourage or challenge you. It may be a personal story, a bible passage and reflection, or just a post to let everyone know what is going on in the youth ministry and what I am doing here at New Life Community Church.
This week I wanted to share something I saw when I was reading the book of John. I love reading the book of John. John always has a great way of looking at Jesus. It is always practical and full of activity. I was reading in John chapter 12 and a passage really came out at me.
Jesus had already been doing his ministry for awhile and he had just entered Jerusalem for the last time with the cheers of the people. John does what I call an aside. He states in verse 37 that even though Jesus had done all of these miracles, they still did not believe. I think that is an interesting statement in and of itself but then John gets to the reason why they did not believe and I saw something new in the passage.
John goes on to say in verse 42 and 43 "Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue. For they loved the praise from men more than praise from God."
So many of us believe in Jesus but we are afraid to confess that faith in fear of losing out with friends or a place of status. Here what John is saying is that you love the praises of people more than the praise of God. You may think that is not a big deal. Men's praise is only for a short time. It will not last. It will eventually make you feel empty with the wishes that you had more. The kind of Praise that God gives is the kind of praise that you will never forget. It will be with you for all of eternity. The ultimate praise from God is when we enter the gates of heaven and he tells us well done good and faithful servant. That is what I want to hear from him. I don't want to live for the short praises of men. I want to live a life of confession of His goodness in my life and watch as his praises shower my life. They may not be as evident as the praises of men but I know that someday I will be rewarded for serving him with all my heart.
So what kind of praises do you love? Do love the praises of men that will soon pass and leave you wanting more? Or will you confess His name and receive his praise that will last for all of eternity.
This week I wanted to share something I saw when I was reading the book of John. I love reading the book of John. John always has a great way of looking at Jesus. It is always practical and full of activity. I was reading in John chapter 12 and a passage really came out at me.
Jesus had already been doing his ministry for awhile and he had just entered Jerusalem for the last time with the cheers of the people. John does what I call an aside. He states in verse 37 that even though Jesus had done all of these miracles, they still did not believe. I think that is an interesting statement in and of itself but then John gets to the reason why they did not believe and I saw something new in the passage.
John goes on to say in verse 42 and 43 "Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue. For they loved the praise from men more than praise from God."
So many of us believe in Jesus but we are afraid to confess that faith in fear of losing out with friends or a place of status. Here what John is saying is that you love the praises of people more than the praise of God. You may think that is not a big deal. Men's praise is only for a short time. It will not last. It will eventually make you feel empty with the wishes that you had more. The kind of Praise that God gives is the kind of praise that you will never forget. It will be with you for all of eternity. The ultimate praise from God is when we enter the gates of heaven and he tells us well done good and faithful servant. That is what I want to hear from him. I don't want to live for the short praises of men. I want to live a life of confession of His goodness in my life and watch as his praises shower my life. They may not be as evident as the praises of men but I know that someday I will be rewarded for serving him with all my heart.
So what kind of praises do you love? Do love the praises of men that will soon pass and leave you wanting more? Or will you confess His name and receive his praise that will last for all of eternity.
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