John 8:53-55 Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be? "Jesus answered, "If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God’; and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word.
It is our sinful nature to make ourselves out to be something we’re not. That was the sin of Adam and Eve—thinking that if they ate of the forbidden fruit, they might make themselves to be like God. The people thought Jesus was discontent, like they were—and projected their insecurity onto Him. It’s tempting to project what we are guilty of on others we don’t understand. But Jesus wasn’t "making Himself” out to be something He wasn’t. He is who and what God is. John 8:54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’” May we give up making ourselves and receive what God gives us with contentment and security. That is love for God and comes from knowing He loves us.
This comment is Jesus’ response to the Jews asking who Jesus was making himself out to be. His point is that He isn’t making Himself out to be anything. He doesn’t need to. Let’s not miss this. If any man glorifies himself, that glory is nothing. Remember what Paul said to the Romans. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (3:23). The only glory that can be called glory is that which is bestowed by the Father, God. What is the glory that God, the Father, bestows on His Son? "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world" (Jo. 4:24). It is His love! And Jesus wants us to see it, so we will! The Father loves the Son, and the Son loves us as the Father has loved Him, and we love one another with Him. So when we live to love with Jesus, we are receiving glory from the Father and the Son as we glorify God.
According to Jesus, to say we have God, and yet not know Him, is to live a lie. According to John, to know God, who is love, and not live to love with Him is also a lie. "The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1 John 4:8). Surely he learned that from Jesus. The Spirit of Christ in us knows God and keeps His word. Let us listen to and live to love with Him for God’s glory, not our own.
I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.
