do I really need a reminder?

Really? Do I actually need to be reminded? Is it not the absolute base foundation of faith in the Gospel that JESUS ALONE died for me?  Should I not definitely understand that it is Christ, by His grace, who justifies me?

Then why do I constantly seek for approval and affirmation from other and not God?

Jesus said, "How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?" John 5:44.  This statement comes after His declaration that He is indeed sent and given all authority from the Father, and that John the Baptist, the Scriptures, and Moses all testify to Himself as the Messiah.  The only one by which man is saved.  The Pharisees could not believe, because they found their glory in one another and not God.

And its easy, sooo easy to find personal satisfaction or glory from others.  I am a prideful person, and we are desperately prideful people.  Desperately wanting others to be our filling, others to be our portion, and others to affirm us.  These men Jesus was addressing, just like us, were desperately prideful people, and ya know what ...



The glory that comes from man, from one another ...  honestly, its great! Its puffs us up, makes us feel good about ourselves, and oh heavens your self esteem is bolstered! But, this is so absolutely vain, frail, and fruitless.  Finding your worth and affirmation in others is simply diluted sinful men telling other diluted sinful men that all is well in the world.  It is completely, utterly in contrary to the glory that comes from God.

This glory is meek and selfless.  The glory that comes from God says pick up your cross and be ready to suffer for your master.  The glory that comes from God finds thanksgiving in the grace of the Gospel and willingly lays down to respond as John the Baptist said: He must increase, but I must decrease.

This is not how we think.  This is not the way of life.  But this is transformed life.  Do I really need a reminder that Jesus Christ is my Savior and justifier? Yes, everyday.  Because my pride tries to step in and fill itself up, rather than lay down and let my Lord be Lord.  This is who God is, so then who are we? Titus 2:14, "redeemed ... a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works."  We are slaves, possessed by Christ.  Yet more than slaves, friends, more than friends, brothers, more than brothers, co-heirs in the inheritance of the Father.

But I daily... every moment, need to remind myself that I am not working as a slave for you or anyone else.  But I am a slave for Christ, concerned for His sake first, then for the welfare of others.  There is no "I", its Christ.