Obtaining Praise

Nahum 1-3; John 5 

“How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?”

John 5:44

The danger Jesus was addressing was the focus on meeting the standards of a religious community rather than learning and following God’s ways. In similar ways, our churches can replace God when they become our benchmark of conduct and first point of affirmation. Obtaining praise from God requires that we listen to him and obey his Word. The promptings of the Spirit are meant to guide us in paths of righteousness. Every disciple of Christ faces moments when obeying the Lord means we are not popular with others - sometimes even other Christ-followers. Those moments, or tests, define where our ultimate loyalty lies and whether we will continue to grow in our relationship with the Lord.

Are we making an effort to obtain the praise that comes from God?

“Lord Jesus, I choose to please you today, for your glory.”