Answering Jesus’ Questions – Part 6
“How is it that you seek praise from one another and not seek the praise
that comes from God?” John 5:44
Let’s face it… we’re all seeking kudos from someone!
We love to have people “ooh” and “ahh” over us and our achievements. Those stokes feel so good. You say good things about me and I return the favor. We love positive sentiments from family, friends, bosses, schoolmates and even people passing by.
But what can you do that would impress God?
It surprises us to discover that God is looking for just three requirements of us that mean the most to Him. They’re found in Micah 6:8 (NLT) “… the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
It starts with your ‘know-er’ working correctly. We need to know what He considers right and wrong living. And that takes daily doses of his Word into our lives. He has left us with pretty straightforward and clear directions. Once we are aware of his intentions for us, we can concentrate on three things:
- First, we must do what we know He wants us to do. This is called ‘obedience’ and it must be total and instantaneous. Few of us do it as we should. There is selective obedience, ‘sometime’ obedience and outright disobedience. It’s unfair calling Him Lord when we fail to obey Him.
- Second, we’re to not just be merciful but to love being merciful. God pays special attention to kind people who show mercy instead of frustration and selfishness.
- And third, true humility stops God in his tracks, turns his head and gets his total attention. In this narcissistic, “Me, Me… look at me” world the humble go through life scarcely noticed – by everyone but God!
So let’s review. Why do we seek the approval and applause from those who can only supply it in this lifetime, when the opinion of God is what lasts for eternity?
Any attention feels good, but the smiling nod of a Heavenly Father outshines them all.
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