How Can You Believe?

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?  John 5:44

As I read through the Gospels, I often think about what it must have been like to have actually been there, to witness first-hand the life, teachings, and miracles of Christ.  I have often imagined the scene outside the tomb of Lazarus when Christ raised him from the dead, the chaos in the temple when the Lord gave sight to him who was born blind, and the heavenly atmosphere that must have been present during the Sermon on the Mount.  I have wished many times, if such a thing were possible, to transport back to that time to observe a day, or even a moment, in the life of Christ.  What a wonder that would be!

  

On the other hand, I have also often marvelled at the fact that the generation which did indeed see and hear Jesus directly was not as a whole profited by such a privilege.  They were a generation which saw God in the flesh, yet did not recognize him; they listened to him speak, but they did not hear his voice; they followed what they believed to be true, but never embraced the Truth when it was set before them.  All their lives they believed in and waited for the Messiah, only to reject and despise him when He came.

This rejection of Jesus of Nazareth by the Jews of his day is both a marvel and a tragedy.  How did such a thing take place?  How could such a devout people reject the very Messiah whom they had believed in and waited for, and who was the fulfillment of their religious hopes?  How could “they seeing see not; and hearing hear not,” and not understand?  I realize that in the great plan of redemption the Son of God was to be offered for the sins of the world, and that the Jews’ rejection of Christ was the occasion by which this sacrifice was accomplished.  But my question is this: Why did the Jews as individuals not believe in Christ? What was it that rendered them unable to perceive truth and embrace it?   And ultimately, is it possible for those who profess faith in Christ, to be guilty of the same errors as the Jews, and consequently be partakers of the same spiritual darkness? 

     

Now in the above quoted text, Jesus provided insight as to why they would not embrace him.  The Jews, though very religious and dedicated, were guilty of two specific sins, which kept them in spiritual darkness and ultimately defined the nature of their devotion.  Firstly, they received honour one of another, and secondly, they did not seek the honour that cometh from God only.  These two sins were their downfall, and kept them from a true knowledge of God.  Jesus said to them, “How can you believe, how can you perceive and embrace  truth, when within your religious community you receive honour, praise, and glory from one another, and do not ultimately care about receiving the honour and approval that comes from God only?” 

 

I asked earlier if it were possible for believers to be guilty of the same errors of the Jews of Christ’s day, and to thus be partakers of the same spiritual darkness.  When we consider that the errors of the Jews were religious in nature, and that they were committed by those who believed themselves to be the true people of God, we may thus logically conclude that those within the church, which as well profess to be the children of God, might indeed wander down the same destructive path.  As previously stated, their error was twofold.  It consisted in doing that which was wrong, in that they received honour one of another, as well as in not doing that which was right, in that they neglected to seek the honour that cometh from God only. 

   

Now may I suggest, that these errors which Jesus exposed within the Jews’ religious structure, have indeed been prevalent within the church throughout history?  It seems that fallen human nature, whether it be that of the Jews, or that of those within the church, will manifest itself consistently within a religious framework- it will receive honour to itself, and it will not seek the true honour which comes from God.  In other words, fallen man, upon entering into the church, continues to seek for the praise, recognition, position, prestige, and honour that he so longed for prior to his faith, yet was unable to attain, and now uses his religious involvements and exploits as new means to an old end- his own exaltation. 

This religious fallen nature requires some definition.  It is not a nature which objects to the concept of God receiving his due glory.  On the contrary, it will sing of it, preach on it, wax philosophical concerning it, and heartily “Amen” it.  What this nature objects to is being left out of it!  The religious sinner is zealous for the glory of God- provided that he too will also be honoured and glorified.  Take away his accolades and the religious sinner melts.  He cannot believe in or receive a faith that does not stroke his sense of his own spirituality.  Likewise, he is not opposed to receiving honour from God.  Indeed, he spends his lifetime imagining that he possesses this honour, when in truth he is a stranger to such things.   Yes, he welcomes honour and glory from any who will give it-  whether God or man-  but ultimately, if he must choose between the two he will forfeit the honour of God-  for he cannot bear this life without the constant approbation of his peers, his denomination, his fellowship, or his religious movement. 

   

So how does this translate to the church today?  In what ways is this receiving honour one of another manifest in our religious circles?  What are some of the practices common within the church today, that if Christ were present in the flesh, would cause him to shake his head and ask, “How can you believe?”

Let us consider those in leadership.  When those which are pastors within the church, desire and in some cases require, to be addressed by the title of pastor, is there not an improper desire for honour?  I am not suggesting that it is wrong to address someone as “pastor,” nor am I suggesting that it is necessarily wrong for a pastor to accept such an address.  As well, I certainly do not condone disrespect toward those in leadership in any form.  But what I am suggesting is this: that many in leadership are more motivated to receive honour than to actually do God service.  For when men (and women) long to be recognized as pastors, when they love to be called “pastor,” when they rejoice at being introduced as “reverend” or “pastor,” when they are quick to let everyone know that they are “Pastor so and so,” have they not gone too far in their thirst for spiritual honours?  In truth they are akin to the Pharisees of old, who according to Jesus loved “the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.” 

 

But it does not stop here:  For it is becoming more common to see men (and women) bearing the title apostle and or prophet.  It seems that in certain circles pastor was not a high enough honour to garnish one’s self with.  No, in declaring to all that one has risen within the ranks of spiritual greatness, he must now bear the title Apostle or Prophet.  Question:  Whose idea was it that you should put the title “Apostle,” in front of your name?   Who told you that you were an apostle in the first place?  Are we to believe that Jesus Christ instructed you to bear this title, or are we to rightfully conclude that you have bestowed this honour upon yourself?  Of course, I am certain that others- who also seek the “high places”- indeed both recognize and confirm your lofty state; but ultimately, it is your scheming that has secured this illustrious title for yourself.

What is embarrassing about these modern “apostles” is that many of them would have difficulty spelling the word, let alone have any grasp as to what it means to claim such things for themselves.  Is it not obvious that those which crown themselves with the title of “Apostle” or “Prophet,” are in the business of not only receiving honour, but demanding it as well?

But church leaders receive honour one of another in other ways as well.  For who has not witnessed one minister stand up in a service to introduce another, proclaiming him to be a “true man of God, with a true message from God, a man who is anointed and who is a special servant of the Lord?”  And as this “man of God” ascends to the pulpit, he in turn tells the assembly how blessed they are to have the first minister (a true “man of God” in his own rights) as their leader, saying:  “I have ministered all over the world, and it is rare that I find such a godly man as you have in this your pastor.  He is truly special in the sight of God.”  And the assembly, giddy with joy, receives a triple portion of honour and glory:  For they bask in the honour that the two “men of God” receive one of another, and in some strange way feel that they have been honoured as well.

How can you believe?

And what can be said concerning those who are not pastors and leaders?  Will they be left out of this bestowing of honours?  Absolutely not!  For when they assemble together they are sure to have “words from God” for one another as to how special and gifted each of them is.  For John will tell Jane how “gifted she is, how anointed she is, and what a special ministry the Lord has for her,” all in the hope that Jane will tell him that he also is “wonderful, and powerful, and special.”  And like children on Christmas morning who cannot wait to show to each other the gifts that they have received, each will excitedly announce the spiritual gifts and callings he has claimed for himself, while also proclaiming these gifts to be in the other as well.

Now all this will take place in the name of edification, encouragement and brotherly love, when in truth there is a great deal more inflation than edification, flattery than encouragement, and insincerity than true love.  The outcome of which is a religious community that thinks “more highly of itself than it ought,” and fancies itself to have some special place with God.  And should the people of this community, church, denomination, fellowship or movement actually be contrary to God, or stray from the truth, it is nearly impossible to enlighten them:  For the praise, glory, honour, affirmation, and justification that they receive one of another, is the light by which they walk and interpret both the word and Spirit of God.

How can you believe? 

I mentioned earlier that the error of both the Jews and the church is twofold.  It is not only receiving honour one of another, but it is also seeking not the honour that cometh from God only.  There is an honour which comes from God only, and it is the only honour that we are to seek.  The difficulty in receiving honour from God is this: more often than not, you must forfeit the honour of men in order to attain it.  The man or woman which God honours will never be honoured by a worldly religion, or by those consumed with receiving honour one of another.  Nor will he or she fit in well with them.  As Jesus stated that “no man can serve two masters,” so also is it impossible to receive honour from men and at the same time truly seek the honour which comes from God.

Think about it.  Were the Jews really concerned about receiving honour from God?  According to Christ, they certainly did not seek it.  No, they were content to continue in a religious form, in which they received honour and approval from each other, without ever seriously seeking the approval of God.  This too is the error of many who profess faith in Christ.  They continue in their expression of the Christian faith, and because they have approbation and confirmation from their peers and leaders, assume that they must have the honour of God as well.  But can it be said of these that receive honour one of another that they are seriously seeking the honour which comes from God?

    

Here is a question for all.  From where do you derive your confidence that you have the honour that cometh from God only?  Do you assume that you possess this honour by merely believing Bible truths?  Do you answer questions regarding your state by running to your peers and leaders for affirmation?  What if those to whom you run for approval are also without this honour from God?  Where will this leave you?   Remember the words of Jesus that those which receive honour from men are without the honour of God.

So what profit is there in having the respect and approval of men, and receiving honour one of another?  In the end, I have an appointment with God at the judgment seat of Jesus Christ.  Will it matter then if you respected or disrespected me, if I was honoured or dishonoured in your eyes?  Will I go there bearing titles or to display gifts?  Will any of the honours (or dishonours) that were bestowed upon me have any bearing upon the outcome of that meeting?  No, the only thing that will matter in that day is whether or not in the mind of God I am considered one who has sought his honour.

  

The same is true for you as well.  May it not be said to any of us in that day, that we have in this life already received our reward in full.  And may Jesus– after considering how we behaved with regard to earthly honours- never look upon us and ask:

How can you believe?