John 12:42-43 (ESV) "Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, 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."
This scripture always shocks + challenges me. In the NLT it says "For they loved human praise more than the praise of God." In other words, instead of honoring and fearing God by saying "I follow Jesus", they decided to honor and fear their friends, co-workers and leaders by keeping silent.
I always have to ask myself this question, "Who's applause am I playing for?" Is it for my fellow staff to say "Great job!" or the church to say, "Great preaching!" or, instead, do I long to honor God?
Sometimes, if not most of the time, standing for Jesus and striving for His approval is going to cost you something. In John 12, Standing for Jesus meant the disapproval of powerful leaders, maybe even getting thrown out of the Synagogue.
Will I strive to honor God even when all around me disapprove? Even in the little things? Even when the stakes are high? I hope the answer is YES!
K.
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