Wednesday, April 16, 2014

His Praise above all praise

“For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” – John 12:4

On occasion following the will of God will take us in direct opposition with the opinions of some.  This happens to the righteous: it happened to the prophets, it happened to John the Baptist, and it happened to Jesus; it will happen to those who follow Him.  “The preaching of the cross is to them that parish foolishness”
The chief rulers of that day believed Jesus and did nothing.  They could not part with their title and rank, they could not humble themselves and “esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches.”  This would not only ultimately keep them out of heaven, but it will forever hinder them from effectively leading the people; and they are not the only ones who fall into this trap.  How many preachers, pastors, bishops, and church boards are currently leading their flock astray because they desire the approval of the people more than that of God’s?  Constantly weighing the truth that needs to be presented against the response of the majority; and voting for the latter.  Oh but fear not, this doesn’t happen in your church………it happens in every church, because it happens in everyman.  The praise of men strokes our pride and ego, and on top of that it is often the easier route to travel.    We have an innate desire to please the people, and this is not all bad, but when you desire the praise of men over the praise of God then the trouble begins. 
A commitment to Christ is a commitment to follow Christ and follow His example.  Jesus “did always the will of his Father.”  No matter what happen or who agreed/disagreed; he did the will of God.  He preached to multitudes and he preached to one.  He delivered sermons where many flocked to him and he deliver sermons where many walked away.  No matter what happened, he did the will of his Father.  He was totally immune to the praise and promise that came from men.  He desired their well-being, and he loved them truly, but God’s will was always supreme.  For the sake of the lost souls around us and for the sake of our own souls, let us examine ourselves.  Do we shy away from the open door in conversation to talk about Jesus, because we know it might make our co-workers awkward around us?  Do we look to change the conversation when God or church comes up, for fear we might be labeled and ignored?  Do we take the hush mouth on homosexuality or adultery or drunkenness or various other besetting sins because we don’t want to offend our cousin, or brother-in-law, or rather we just plain don’t want to offend?  Stop and consider, what is the greater offence to God: he who knows that these sins will send a soul straight to hell and says nothing; or he who is ignorant of the truth and continues in them?  Loving the praise of men more than the praise of God may not always but can potentially cost both you and those around you a home in heaven.  The idea of salvation through Jesus Christ may be foolishness to the world, but that does not absolve us from declaring it.  May God help us to “do always the will of God.” 
The silver bullet to all Satan’s devices is summed up in one verse: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30)  If we love God we will do His will.  We will say what he wants us to and keep silent when he asks us to.  If we love God supreme all: pride, arrogance, cowardice, and ego is buried by that love.  When we love God we want what he wants and we cannot be confounded by the devil.  When we love God the praise of men and the trappings of this world blur out of vision as we focus our entire being on Him.  “Let us love our God supremely.”         


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