The Love of God, Above The Love Of Man

Good Morning!! We all like to receive the approval of people we know, respect and even those we don't. This built-in desire for praise in it self, is not wrong. Honest commendation can be encouraging and can bring out the best in us all,...when the good we've done is recognized, we naturally want to do more. The Bible tells us to look forward to the day when we will receive praise from God (1 Cor. 4:5). The problem, however, is that we often place more value on the applause we receive from people in this life, than on praise from God in the life to come. You know, like when you won't bless your food in a restaurant because people will see, and think you're crazy or some religious nut. When you see someone do something wrong but you don't say anything to them or anyone else, because you might be thought of as a snitch, or meddling.

Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.—John 12:42, 43 (NIV)

How many kids used drugs or got involved in sex before they were ready,...simply because they wanted to be accepted by a group of their peers they considered "cool"? And even as adults, we aren't much better,...lying to, and on others, just to fit in. In both of these examples we make the same mistake as those first-century believers who "loved the praise of men more than the praise of God".

"If we want to maintain personal intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ,

it will mean refusing to do or even think certain things.

And some things that are acceptable for others will become unacceptable for us"

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Holy Spirit of God, remind us daily that; "Living for God's approval is better than living for man's applause." In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

"Focus on the Kingdom of God,...don't give up, and don't give in."