VAIN GLORYING
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Image (c): Luis Molinero Martnez |
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves” (Php 2:3)
There is nothing repulsive as being in the midst of Christians who would rather give glory to themselves rather than to God.
This is the cause of many struggles in our churches today. Struggles on who should be the leader and who should be the follower.
You see among shepherds and pastors struggling on who should preach and who should sit on the pew, struggles among choir members and choristers among who should lead, who should teach, who should handle the microphone, and who should backup, struggles among instrumentalists on who should play the 🥁 (drum), who should play the saxophone, who should play the 🎹 (piano), the keyboard, violin, bass guitar, who should play the lead, and who should vamp.
Everybody wants to be relevant, and wants to be acclaimed the best. Even those that have not known it so well, think themselves to be the best. Apostle Paul puts it clear by saying that let he that thinks he knows, know that he is yet to know.
Why should there be these struggles in the body of Christ? It’s all for vainglory. For the glory of the self and not of God. The human self is so full of pride and ego that he siezes every opportunity possible to him to accord himself glory.
If you do not learn to curtail the desires of the flesh, you’ll keep on walking in canality. “But as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom 8: 14). “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom 8:5-8).
Remember your actions speak so louder and clearer than what you say with your mouth. Sometimes what your actions speak is so loud that whatever you are saying with your mouth becomes only a noise. Why will you pretend to be thanking God when your actions imply that you are contesting His glory with him.
Do you know how many people you have chased from the presence of God with your ungodly attitude? It is like the character of the Pharisees of yesterday that will not go in, and will not let others go. Some go the extra mile of quarrelling and causing scenes even in the house of God. Now this message is not directed at anybody known or unknown, but as many as do these things, need to desist from them, and should not take the patience of God for granted.
Or do you think God is not taking into account your offence to that brother or sister, or your causing him or her to sin?
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones who believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the midst of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh(Mt 18:6-7).
Sister, that brother you quarrelled with the other day, where is he today? Brother where is the sister you were struggling microphone with the other day. It’s possible she has decided to stay back at home or change church or fellowship, in order not to be offended because of you (Mt. 18:8-9; 10:14), and you are not bordered. Repent brothers and sisters for the kingdom of God is at hand. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand” (Php. 4:5