John 7- For Who's Honor

Jesus has a real firm grasp on glorifying the right thing… “He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him (vs. 18).” This is the fault of false prophets in Isaiah 23 and Ezekiel 13. They speak as if they are sent by God but I believe the heart of the matter is that they are acheiving an honor for themselves. It say’s in Ezekiel 13:2 that they don’t speak the words from God but rather words ‘out of their own imagination.’ Words that itch the ears of those that hear them(2 Timothy 4:3).

This is a real issue… Pride is the great killer of many good men and women. It is easy to begin to let pride creep into the Christian life. As you get closer to God it is easy to puff yourself up and even more so as others take note of your godliness. Becareful that you continue to seek humility and only say what the one who sent you has placed on your lips.

This is my burden. As a pastor it is really easy to fall in love with the romance of being listened to and followed and imitated. It is a dangerous place to be. Leading others is a heavy responsibility and the temptation to honor myself is real. So please pray for myself and the other leaders of this church that ‘our teaching is not our own.’ But instead that it comes from the ‘one who sends us.’ (vs. 16) It is a much more comfortable pastorate to preach what people want to hear… a message of ‘peace’ rather than convicting people to turn from sin. There must be a balance of ‘comforting the disturbed, and disturbing the comfortable.’

Lord let us play our part well. Help us to only speak what you give us and to make every effort to glorify you at whatever cost… even if it means we preach an unpopular message like your Son did. Even if we are hated by family and friends and even if it means we go the way of the prophets and are killed on account of your important message. Strengthen our resolve to preach the whole counsel of God.