Honor Jesus!

Continuing my study of John, the Holy Spirit showed me something today that I have to show. I asked Jesus to show me more in His teaching and He did. Here it is:

John 7:14-18 NIV

[14] Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. [15] The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?” [16] Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. [17] Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. [18] Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. 

https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.7.14-18.NIV

The lesson is found in verse 18...

[18] Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. 

Jesus always spoke to bring honor to the Father who sent Him. He never sought his own glory or honor. As Christians, God sends us out into the world everyday to represent Jesus. Even our name says so, "Christians," means to be like Christ. We represent Jesus to those who do not yet believe. 

Whatever makes up our lives every single day, we should live to bring honor to Jesus, not ourselves. Whatever that looks like for you and me, our words, actions, interactions, activities, interests, hobbies, experiences...all of it should bring glory and honor to Jesus, the One who has sent us out into the world:

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

[18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.28.18-20.NIV

Jesus sends the Church out into the world to make disciples of all nations. This includes you and me directly. So our lives should bring Him honor. We should not pursue our own honor. If our lives honor Jesus, then people around us will see we are good people. Paul makes reference to this notion in Romans and Colossians:

Romans 14:7-8 NIV

[7] For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. [8] If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.14.7-8.NIV

Colossians 3:17 NIV

[17] And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

https://bible.com/bible/111/col.3.17.NIV

So I cut through all the details, all the specifics to say "Honor Jesus with your whole life." Everyday we wake up, we live to represent Jesus and to bring honor to Jesus, not ourselves. So, we learn another great truth from Jesus's teaching. 

Do not live to bring glory, honor, and praise to yourself.

Live to bring glory, honor, and praise to Jesus Christ!!

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post