Wednesday

Getting praise from God

In John 5 Jesus says, "How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from only God?" Alot to unpack for a short blog. Is He saying that we do not believe if we are fixated on getting praise from men and we are not concerned about getting praise from God? Yes. Is He saying that we have to make an effort to obtain praise from God? Yes.

The context here is testimony. What makes you "valid?" What or who certifies "you" as having worth? God does. The praises of men are worthless in God's economy.

Why oh why then do we spend so much time trying to get them? Because we think they validate us. God can not be seen and we default to the seen. That is why Jesus tells the official in chapter four that, "Unless you see...you will not believe." We like to "see and hear" for validation.

God does not indulge us. We must exert some effort to obtain praise from God. Now, that does not mean we work our way to salvation. Jesus did that. What does it mean? It means that we are to put down the things of the world when He reminds us they are meaningless and we are to press on for the prize. We are called to believe. That is the work God wants us to do. When we don't, we are called on to repent and to ask for faith.

So, two things: I need to quit fixating on the praise of men and I need to pursue the approval of God in what I say and do. I will fail and it will be then that I hope He gives me enough wisdom to run to the cross. Worship Well