Jesus Centered Everything On God

Read: John 5:41-44 AMPC

God knows what is in our hearts. He knows if we are serving Him for His glory or for self-glorification. He is aware of any pride that may develop within us. Pride has been the deadly flaw of religious leaders from Jesus’ time to the present. They craved status and honor from one another, and they will forego the honor that only God can give for the sake of man’s honor. The AMPC says in John 5:41-44,

“I receive not glory from men [I crave no human honor, I look for no mortal fame],

But I know you and recognize and understand that you have not the love of God in you.

I have come in My Father’s name and with His power, and you do not receive Me [your hearts are not open to Me, you give Me no welcome]; but if another comes in his own name and his own power and with no other authority but himself, you will receive him and give him your approval.

How is it possible for you to believe [how can you learn to believe], you who [are content to seek and] receive praise and honor and glory from one another, and yet do not seek the praise and honor and glory which come from Him Who alone is God?”

People-pleasing is the product of pride, which is defined as self-worship and self-preservation at all costs. It is not how He lived, and it is not how Jesus wanted us to live either. He was more concerned with what God, His Father, thought of Him than with what other people said. He centered everything He accomplished on what God desired, what He enjoyed, what He valued, and what He had entrusted to Jesus. People-pleasing is all about self-satisfaction—fearing man more than God—and chasing after the transitory enjoyment that comes with man’s favor. This is not our identity in Jesus Christ. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NIV).