October 7, 2025 -- John 12:42-43 -- Are you seeking glory for yourself or the glory that is yours in Jesus?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him [Jesus], but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
John 12:42-43 ESV
 
Yesterday I listened to a Paul Washer sermon. Someone had said to him, excitedly, “Brother, I have a new relationship with Jesus”. Laconically he replied: “But do you have a new relationship with sin?” Following Jesus means you are not seeking your own glory, or your own pleasures. Following Jesus means you gladly leaves sin behind. Washer noted that often the ones who come to him for prayer are Christians, who having become so tender-hearted towards Jesus and His Word, hate their sin so much, they weep over it, they repent of it, they ask for forgiveness seeking prayer with other believers so that they will walk in the light of Christ. Interestingly, many of those who appear to be Christians, who stay back. Those holding back in the pews are those who unlikely to weep of their sins, unlikely to see their great, hourly, intense need for repentance. Even our best works, our most dedicated works for Jesus, are still stained with sin while we still live here on earth.
 
The path to glory is death to self. The newness of life that is yours in Christ means even before you would have something in your life, or not to have it, you look to Jesus and his Word. You ask, “Would this thing, this person, this event, this circumstance, this relationship add to my walk with God or interfere with it?” If it would hinder your walk with God the Father, the source of all good, then throw it as far away from yourself as you can, rather than risk your relationship with God, Whose glory is life and joy and blessedness for all who live for Him.
 
So many people stood near to Jesus, heard His blessed words, and saw His miracles, but refused to give up the praise of the people around them. They could not endure the slightest mocking or insults for the Name. Does that sound familiar? Perhaps you are near to Jesus. you have Christian friends you admire. You have heard powerful preaching. You have seen amazing things in your life. But you realized something. Following Jesus is not easy. It is costly. It will cost you your life, your reputation, your desires, your idolisation of yourself, your finances, your safety, and whatever else He deems needful to strip you of so that you will walk in the light of His glory and grace. Ask yourself today, do you love the glory that comes from your peers or the world, more than you love the glory that comes from God?
 
God our Father, source of all good in life, instruct us by Your Spirit. By the powerful working of the Spirit in us, help us to set aside any weight, any hinderance, any glory, any thing that would interfere with our whole-hearted, humble dedication to Jesus. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/O--n-pU8ArA?si=BjN1vD1IY6C0bJm3 All to Jesus I Surrender
 
 

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