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Jesus said to the Pharisees, “You would not come to me because you
love the honour from men. But I seek not the glory of man but the
glory that cometh from the Father.”(John 5:40)
The history of man is the history of an effort to get glory without
getting it from God! That covers a very great deal! This seeking for
glory is seen as something that started very early in the scripture
and we see it going all the way through; but the glory of man always
ended in corruption! We are living in a world where man is trying to
obtain glory for himself. The pronouncement of God on the life of
man that brings a glory of his own, is one of corruption. O beloved
people, this corruption of man which seeks his own glory is a
self-destroying thing. It will result in obliterating man from the
face of this earth. On one hand, man is trying to invent devices to
destroy other men, but on the other, man is clothing himself with a
self-made glory, that will result in his own destruction. Men use
self-proclaimed designations, grand titles and high-sounding words
to glorify themselves. People elevate themselves with the honour
that comes from others. Their glory lies in the honour that others
give them because of their elaborate titles and terminology. Man
honours himself for inventing things — inventions that will, one
day, blot out the very human race! Is that something glorious? It
seems that man cannot help himself because he is energised by
another power and is no more his own master. He is ruled by another
spirit. He calls it “glory”, but it is nothing but the blindness of
man. Is this not strange? What a deception! The present condition of
man is one of corruption with a false sense of his own glory!
What a strange blindness has come upon even God’s people in this
hour! It is really amazing to see God’s people hankering for a glory
that comes from man. Any glory that comes from man is corrupted and
is an abomination before our holy and righteous God.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify
yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which
is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
It must be acknowledged that there is a great lust in man for his
own glory. It is common practise for men to have titles, credits and
appendages, so that others may look upon them with approval and
admiration. Such things have crept into the Church as well. Priest
and laymen alike, use exalted titles and signs to signify their
achievements and appointments. They make every effort to appease and
please the heart of man. Even ministers desire the hidden glory that
accompanies titles such as Doctor (Dr), Reverend (Rev), Chairman,
President, and the like. People seek to be known by the office they
hold. There is an attraction to seek after the office of Deacon,
Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and so on because it pleases
the flesh of man. Beloved, the untarnished truth is that there is a
great lust for glory in man, even among believers. It will ever
remain an abomination before the Living God.
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