J.A. Matteson
The only consideration in a matter for Christ was obeying His Father, pleasing Him. "I do not receive glory from men" (John 5:41). Are you still calculating whether men will approve of your kingdom approach to a matter? If so you are not right with Christ. Calculating approval and praise by men without regard to the kingdom of Christ reveals spiritual immaturity; the grip of pride has not been broken. Let Christ bring you to the precipice of danger in your situation where following Him appears suicidal. Seek His glory and approval rather than that of men and He will exalt you. Kingdom life is counter intuitive to the ways of the world: the first shall be last and the last shall be first; if you want to be great be servant to all; when wronged bless and do not curse; forgive and you will be forgiven; give to those unable to repay you; choose the obscure seat rather than one of prominence; prefer the praise of Christ and be weary of the same by men who may turn and tear you to pieces. Align your thinking and doing to bring glory to Christ. For it is in Him that you live and move and have your being, all else is a temporal castle of sand that the waves of providence may quickly wash away.
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