Wednesday Words of Encouragement: Tipping the Scales

John 5:41-44 ~

I do not accept glory from men but I know you--that you have no love for God within you. I have come in My Father's name, yet you don't accept Me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe? While accepting glory from one another, you don't seek the glory that comes from the only God."

The Greek word, doxa (glory), that is used in this passage when used in relation to God's glory means God has infinite, intrinsic worth. His very character and essence are worthy of honor and highest esteem. There is nothing trivial about Him. God has weight and is greater in magnitude in wisdom, authority, power, grandeur and desirability than all else. He has earned our good opinion of Him. 

The Pharisees were so intent on achieving their own self-righteousness and importance that they missed the very one they said they were seeking. The Messiah was standing right before them, but they missed Him because they were focusing on themselves. They were trying to receive the honor and high esteem that can only be attributed to God. They were looking to men to stroke their egos instead of focusing on what the Lord desired of them.

How often do we fall into that trap? We look to people for our affirmation. We want others to recognize our good works. We feel slighted when we are overlooked or ignored or what we do goes unnoticed. Yet, the only opinion we should be seeking is what God thinks about us. 

Our scales are weighted down on the wrong side. We place man's opinion as heavier than God's and yet, He carries the greater weight. We measure ourselves against what others think rather than seeking out God's glory.

Let's tip the scales back to their proper place. Whatever you do, make sure you are doing it to bring God the glory and not yourself. When we are doing it with the right motive, it is a sweet, sweet thing.