THURSDAY 8TH OCTOBER, 2020
Focus Scripture: “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” – Galatians 5: 26
Admonition
I bring you greetings from the Throne of Grace in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
The book of 1 Corinthians 3 frowned very seriously against denominational Christianity in which different sections of our faith believe and practice different things and we never heard about it again all through the Bible. Churches founded by the Apostles were known and called as the church of God, differentiated only by the names of the cities where they were found. For example, the church in Sardis, the church in Ephesus, the church in Smyma, the church in Pergamum, etc. Unfortunately, the scourge found its way back into the body of Christ and today, Christ has been divided into many parts with each believing and practicing different things, most times, as it pleases the founder who as usual, will claim to have heard from God. The most annoying thing is that each of these countless denominations tries to outdo the other. And in this unnecessary competition of theirs, they tear at one another, denigrating the body of Christ in their attempts to sound and look more authentic to the world, seeking vainglory.
The flagrant disobedience to the Word of God as contained in our Focus Scripture this morning is a major reason, among many, that the church today does no longer wield the enormous Power of God as of old. It is the reason supposed people of God expend much energy in prayer today with little results to show for their efforts. The reason is that most things are done in the church today are first to seek vainglory. Or why does a pastor or prophet have to shout inside the microphone with a baritone voice while “ministering”? What’s the need for jumping up and down and employing other razzmatazz in the course of ministration?
Much as we have this vain glory-seeking syndrome in the church at large so also we have it manifesting in our individual lives as members. We want people to know that we know the Bible more than the others. We want people to know that we could sing better than that other person and so many other things like that. Or even when we know we don’t measure up to the other person in some areas of spiritual functionality, we go behind them, badmouthing them to others so that we may feel good and others may begin to notice the error in whatever that person is doing for God. Brethren, are we dogs?
As we close this morning, we must understand that as born-again Christians, we are not supposed to live for ourselves any longer. We ought to live for God and His Christ. The book of 1 Corinthians 10: 31 says “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” This is what should be our attitude as true children of God so that we would be able to bear the necessary fruits that actually portray us as His disciples. We all are aware that when Jesus Christ was on earth, He never take any glory for Himself and He repeatedly made it clear that His only goal was to do His father’s Will. The book of Philippians 2: 5 admonished that we should “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” If we must BEAR MUCH FRUIT, WE MUST DEVELOP THE THAT MIND THAT WAS IN CHRIST. That was the reason Jesus Christ says that it is only in Him that we would be able to bear fruit and without Him, we can do nothing (John 15: 7).
Finally this morning, why do people seek vainglory? The simple reason is that we want the approval and honour of the people around us. We want the approval and honour of our pastor and or founder. We want the approval and from elders in the church. We want the approval and honour of people in our sub-groups. But Jesus Christ, our Example never wanted any of these. In John 5: 41 He put it across to us plainly, saying, “I receive not honour from men.” Brethren, anyone that does anything to please man can never please God. Let’s stop seeking vain glory but start seeking God’s honour, henceforth. May God help us, all, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Till tomorrow when we shall meet again on this beautiful journey of FINISHING STRONG together, please, keep keeping on in Him!
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Jesus loves you!