Whose Glory?

[03/30/2010 "teEn-MAIL"]

WHOSE GLORY?

Their books are bought. Their tapes are listened to. Their programs are watched. But what is the source of their message and who is receiving the glory? Is it merely their own message -- something they have come up with -- or is it that of another?

When Jesus came, His teaching was strikingly different than that of the teachers of the day ( Matthew 7:28-29) and therefore the people marveled at hearing Him. ( John 7:15 & 46) Had the leaders been able to align the teaching of Jesus with one of the schools of thought of the day (one of the prominent rabbis, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, etc.) they would have probably satisfied themselves with knowing what "box" they could put Him in. However, Jesus' teaching was from none of those viewpoints. He made it clear the source of His message was from a much higher school of thought than any of those.

As Jesus was teaching in the temple during the Feast of Booths (the remembrance of God's provision for Israel during their wilderness journey prior to entering the promised land) we read. . .

"(16) So Jesus answered them, "MY TEACHING IS NOT MINE, BUT HIS WHO SENT ME. (17) If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. (18) The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood." ( John 7:16-18 ESV)

Jesus made it clear regarding the source of His teaching. He came to direct the attention upward. Did you note how Jesus stated the one who speaks on their own authority seeks their own glory? Is that what we are seeking? What is the source of the message of faith we are sharing? Are we seeking to make certain it is God's rather than our own? If it is our own, God is not being honored and glorified and we are being presumptive. We would also in effect be implying that our way is better than God's!

The message of God and what Jesus taught were one and the same. The same was true of the Apostles when they spoke and wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The message was not their own. Therefore it was God who was to receive the glory as they were merely the messengers of His message. Praise God we have His Word to consult to make certain our life is in line with His Will. May we seek to share His message as it is while we serve as messengers of His truth to a world living in darkness. We cannot improve upon what God has declared. May He receive the glory as we direct the attention toward Him!

Have a great day SHARING GOD'S GOOD NEWS WITH OTHERS!
Carl

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