Scripture to Read: John 5:41–44
Jesus continued to share the truth with the Jews and let them know He was not there to seek their approval. Jesus told them in John 5:41, “I do not receive glory from men.” As Christians, we must continually guard against seeking man’s favor over God. When we fall prey to needing man’s approval, we will compromise our walk with Christ. God used Paul in such mighty ways because Paul was sold out to Christ as his King and Lord. God led Paul to write, in 1 Thessalonians 2:5–6, For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— 6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. When God led Paul to Thessalonica, he knew his mission was to be a bold witness for Christ and not use man’s authority to persuade the people in Thessalonica. Paul knew he must speak God’s Word boldly and let God’s Truth change them. Again, God had Paul write to the believers in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 4:5, For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. God used Paul to proclaim that they had been there and not to talk about themselves but to proclaim Christ, for Paul and all of us are merely servants of our King. Jesus came to do the Father’s will and glorify Him. The Jews missed Him because they wanted each other’s approval above God’s.
Challenge & Application
• How did Jesus challenge the Jews in His day, and how did our Lord use Paul to do the same with whom he shared the Gospel?
• How do we guard against seeking the approval of man over walking in obedience to our Lord?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!