“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).
There is a significant point being made here; seeking the glory that is from men is a sign of unbelief; the desire for honour amongst men makes true faith in God impossible!
This should come as a shock to many of those of the religious persuasion whose lives seem dedicated to the pursuit of glory amongst men. But, of course, being unbelievers by this definition, they will not accept the validity of this statement, even though it comes from the Word of God Himself! Jesus pointed to the outcome for these glory hunters;
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Many Christians are trying to take some of this world and some of that world; to them Christianity is an insurance scheme; they are willing to live reasonably rightly because that is the premium they pay for their insurance, which covers them against ever being held accountable for their sins. Their concept of faith becomes social, not spiritual and they are more influenced by the world than they are by the Word; more influenced by Hollywood than they are by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Much that passes for Christian faith today is little more than a mild dose of social religion grafted onto a heart that is sold out to the pleasures, tastes, fashions and values of the world. Over time, the world draws ever nearer and heaven recedes into the mists.
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