Introduction
All human beings, naturally, like to be recognized and praised. We like to be applauded for our achievements and successes. We like it when people talk highly of us and recommend us to others. We like to be noticed. We like to be praised.
This is a danger for us as Christians, as the glory that comes from man is no match for the glory that comes from God.
In John 12, we see the unbelief of the people and how the prophet Isaiah prophesied this would happen. We also see in verses 42 and 43, how many of the authorities believed in Jesus but did not confess belief in Him because: “they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God” (v.43). These individuals would have been thrown out of the synagogues, and possibly worse, if they openly proclaimed belief in Jesus. Because of that consequence, they kept silent. They loved the glory of man more than the glory that comes from God
Why We Like the Glory that Comes From Man
I think this text gives us insight into a few reasons why we would rather receive glory and praise from man rather than God:
First, glory from man is noticeable. As human beings, we tend to verbalize our praise and adoration for someone. We make it obvious that we saw them accomplish something, or that we really liked their outfit, and so on. The praise that comes from man is noticeable. Often that glory and praise from God is not clearly observed in the physical, and so we would rather receive the glory and praise from man in the here and now.
Second, the glory for man is fearful to lose. This might be a greater motivator than actually receiving glory and praise from other people. To lose other peoples praise and adoration is to be ostracized and cast off. It is to become a “nobody”. It is to be disliked, or worse, hated. And there are often consequences with losing this admiration, like being kicked out of social and religious clubs, and possibly even kicked out of ones own family. Humanly speaking, it’s a fearful thing to lose.
Thirdly, the glory from man, is often, comforting. When you’re liked and admired by others, there is a certain comfort to it. You don’t have to work very hard to continue to win over their love and praise. It’s true that you may have to do that, but often times if you just continue doing what others love to see you doing, then you won’t lose their praise and adoration for you. Their is a certain tangible comfort in people outwardly praising and welcoming us.
Your Father Who Sees in Secret
The glory that comes from God is far less noticeably. In Matthew 6, Jesus is teaching on giving to the poor, praying, and fasting. Jesus compares the giving, prayers, and fasting of the Pharisees to what God truly blesses.
In each of those sections-giving, praying, fasting-Jesus ends his instruction by saying, “and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” In other words, our giving, praying, and fasting should be done for God’s eyes only, and when we do this Jesus promises us that our Father will reward us.
Silent and unnoticed obedience is rewarded by God. God is pleased when we do good works for his eyes only, not to be seen by others. Again, this goes against our natural desires. We naturally want to be seen, praised, and rewarded by other human beings. God, however, wants us as His children to do good works for his praise alone. What is rewarded by God often will be unnoticed by others, or at worse, mocked and reviled and lead to more hardship for us. But the reward God promises is far greater than the glory and reward that man offers us.
Conclusion
Are you tempted to be swayed by the glory that comes from man? Do you seek the reward that comes from other rather than the heavenly reward that comes from God?
I know that I personally can be tempted and even find myself actively seeking the outward praise that comes from man than the glory that comes from God. One way we overcome this seeking our pleasure in God and finding His rewards more fulfilling than the worlds. There is fulness of joy and pleasures forevermore in Him! (Psalm 16:11). We set our eyes upward and do good deeds for His eyes and His approval, it doesn’t matter what others will do or say of us. We are fully devoted with pleasing Him with our lives.
The glory that comes from God is not always noticeable, but it is certain. It’s guaranteed. It’s promised to us as our heavenly reward. And it comes from God. It comes from our Father and our Lord. What could be better than that! The One that we glorify will one day glorify us with new resurrected bodies! (Philippians 3:21). We want that blessed glory over the fleeting, temporal, and false glory that comes from man.
May we continue to seek God’s glory and the glory that comes from Him rather than the glory that comes from man.