Short Sermon #71: WHOSE PRAISE DO YOU SEEK?

"How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?" - John 5 Verse 44 (NIV)

Praise can come from people or from God, or both. People will praise you; it's their choice and right to do so.

People, including some Christians, may also flatter you. It matters a lot how you handle the praise directed to you.

Praise needs to be handled appropriately. You will need to thank everybody who praises you, even those you may suspect to be just flattering you, for the sake of decorum.

In the opening bible verse, Jesus warned His audience against accepting praise from one another yet not making any effort to obtain the praise that comes from the Father. What this means is: let not people's praise get to your heart, or head; and seek only the praise that comes from the Father.

You can live a good life before God without any of the praise that comes from people; but you cannot do so without the praise from the Father.

Allow people to praise you. Thank them most sincerely. But do not let the praise fool you to the point of straying into the wilderness.

In the opening bible verse Jesus underscored the need for people to make an effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God. This is important.

Do the right thing always; but never waste your time trying to obtain the praise that comes from people; that won't do you any good. Instead, make every effort to obtain the praise that comes from God. In the process of obtaining the praise from God, you may also please some people and in the process obtain praise from them.

Every step of the way, however, never worry yourself about how people perceive you; instead, focus on how well you are walking with God.

If God says "Yes", it does not matter who and how many people shout "No!".

My concern is that a number of Christians seem to desire the approval of people more than the approval of God. They go to great lengths to please people, sometimes displeasing God in the process, while caring less about the will of God for their lives.

Such people sacrifice the will of God for people's praise and admiration. This needs to change. Jesus once warned people who "loved praise from men more than praise from God" - John 12:43 (NIV).

Paul knew how best to walk with the Lord. Listen to what he said at one point: "We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else" -1 Thessalonians 2:6 (NIV). "Not from men; not even from you," Paul told the Thessalonians. That should be the attitude of the Christian who is going in the direction that God intends for them.

"No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God" -Romans 2:29 (NIV). Such a Christian's praise is not from people, but from God. Wonderful!

On one occasion, Jesus decided not to mince His words. He declared, "I do not accept praise from men" - John 5:41 (NIV). What an elevated mindset! Jesus could do without the praise of men.

Jesus did not say, "People shall not praise me." He said, effectively, "Even though people shall praise me, I shall remain emotionally neutral to such praise."

But on some occasions Jesus rejected praise directed at Him, as a way of teaching humans to direct praise to the one who, in the ultimate, is actually worth to receive praise, glory and honor.

Listen to this: "As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone."" Mark 10:17-18 (NIV)

If your heart should thunder at the sound of praise, may such praise be from God!

It's now time to examine yourself closely. Whose praise are you keen to receive? Whose praise tickles your ears? Are you making an effort to obtain the praise that comes from God?

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DEVOTIONAL PRAYER

Prayer point for today: That I may burn only for the praise that comes from the Father.

Heavenly Father, I take this opportunity to thank You for all that I am and all that I have. I thank You for the hope that I have through Christ Jesus. I am hopeful in this life and beyond; all because of You.

I understand, heavenly Father, that I was created by You and in You I have my being. You created me that I may obey and please You and do all the good works according to Your will, that Your name may be glorified on earth as well as in heaven.

I long to do Your will, O God, just like Jesus came into the world to do Your will, and absolutely none of His.

I want to please You always. I seek the praise that comes from You and will remain emotionally neutral to the praise that comes from people. But on my own I may fail in this regard; so, help me in my weakness, heavenly Father.

In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.

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