Give Glory to God
He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. John 7:18
Here is the way to always recognize the heart of any speaker, teacher or preacher. Who are they seeking to glorify. If you are listening to someone who talks about their own great accomplishments or why they are the person that you should believe and listen to, you can be pretty sure they are in it for their own glory. If you are learning from someone who is talking about another person’s teachings or philosophies, they are probably singing the praises of that flawed person. Ideally, we will be listening to and even learning from teachers like Jesus. Those who only want the attention to be on the goodness and love of God and His great plan.
Jesus had a ministry like that. He only spoke what He heard from His Father and all of His teachings pointed to the One who had sent Him into the world. He taught success principles and told stories about the way God created things to work. He told people about the plan God had to send His Son into the world to pay the price and penalty for people who could never reach Him on their own. He did signs and miracles and gave all the glory and recognition to God in heaven never claiming the praises for Himself. Even when dying on the cross, He prayed for the people who were executing Him to be forgiven because they didn’t know what they were doing.
In today’s reading, Jesus did end up going to the feast, but He went in secret at first. After a couple days, He went in to do some teaching. He told the people that what He was teaching was not something He made up, but it came directly from the Father in heaven. Then He told them they could believe Him because He wasn’t seeking to glorify Himself. It is a good rule to follow when you are not sure who to believe or whom you should follow. You are always safe to stick with God the Father. He will never steer you wrong.
Today I want to encourage you to not seek your own glory. When talking to others, don’t let the focus of your conversations be about your accomplishments and what you are doing. Instead, talk about how great the Lord has been in your life. What He has done and what He is doing in your world today. If anything let people know that you have missed it but God has given you a life worth living despite your short comings. Next, use this as a guide when following or learning from others. If their message is all about how great they are and what they have accomplished, guard your heart. Make sure God is the One getting the glory and who gets the attention. Our doctrine is not of ourselves and we are not to speak on our own authority. Our message is about the One who came and saved us from the unrighteous state we were in.
Today’s scripture reading: John 7:10-24
10 But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
11 Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?”
12 And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.”
13 However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.
14 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.
15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”
16 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.
17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.
18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
19 Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”
20 The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”
21 Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel.
22 Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.
23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?
24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
The Daily Dose 