DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE PRAISE OF GOD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE PRAISE OF GOD

"Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue, for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." (John 12:42-43)

There were some people of political and religious stature who believe in Jesus, but because of fear of being banned from the synagogue, they were reluctant to be public with their faith. It is not always easy to go against the crowd and confess our faith in the Lord Jesus. There is a lot of pressure to conform to the norms of the unbelievers who are antagonistic to Jesus. We don't want to be "put out of the synagogue" – that is to be relegated to the place of an outsider. It is so much easier to just keep quiet.

We have to make the decision: Are we more concerned about what people think of us than about pleasing God? Sometimes, there is no middle ground. Either we curry the favor of unbelievers or we desire the praise of God.

It is a sobering thought, but Jesus said, "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33).

The praise of men is so transient. It often does not last very long. The praise of God is eternal. It will last while the praise of men withers. Being accepted by God is of greater value than being accepted by people. But somewhere along the line, we have to declare our faith publicly, even if it does not make us popular with the crowd.

Love, Dad