Chasing Glory

“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

What happens to our spiritual ability to know Christ if we chase the praise of man? “How can you believe when you receive glory from one another…?” Jesus asks in John 5:44. It is a redundant question. In other words, Jesus is saying you cannot. It is impossible to chase both the glory of man and the glory of God.

Why? It is because the glory of man and the glory of God are opposed to one another. One exalts self while the other exalts God. One exalts pride while the other requires humility. One is self-centered while the other is God-centered.

You may be wondering, “What does this have to do with belief in Christ?” The belief Jesus is talking about in John 5:44 isn’t merely the intellectual belief of certain facts about God. It is deeper than that. It means being so sure of the truth of those facts that you put your confidence in them. In other words, you would stake your life on them.

This type of belief changes the way you live. The glory of man is no longer important. God is the center. God is the purpose. God is the reason. Christ becomes everything. This belief declares war on the fleshly desire for recognition and glory.

Whose glory are you seeking? Is it the glory of man or the glory that comes from God?

God, help me to seek Your glory today above everything else. Please show me where I am living for the approval of other people and not You. In Jesus' name, amen.