Desiring to be the chiefest in the sight of men : A sin that steals His glory
And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.Mark 10: 44
Who is great among us ? Disciples had this issue. Whosoever wants to be the chiefest among the people is concentrating on himself. He gives importance to “I” than anything else.In the ministry of the Lord, if someone wants to be chiefest, does not it mean he is projecting himself to the people rather than glorifying God among the men? Is the Lord’s service for showing our skills and seeking praises from others? The Bible says For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.John 12: 43. Which has more value -priases from the Lord or men? Receiving good report from the Lord lifts you up to next steps of your ministry or anything else. Read this verse- His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.Matthew 25: 21. Whosoever receives His certification and praise will move him up with more talents and blessings. Praises from men profits you nothing.
Moreover, is it not whosoever wants to be the chiefest and having a desire to be identified by the people stealing the glory of the Lord? Satan desired for the same. The Bible says Satan thought this within himself -I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.Isaiah 14: 14. What kind of desire is this? Does not it mean Satan wants to steal the glory of the Lord. ? Only God is to be glorified.You and I can never take the place of God. The desire to be the chiefest is stealing His glory as whatever miracles, healings etc.,, happened is from the Lord but not from your greatness. The Bible also says Thou shalt not steal.Exodus 20: 15. This scripture also applicable to stealing from God. Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.Malachi 3: 8. If those who are not giving tithes and offerings robbing God, how much more it is stealing His glory?Thus, stealing His glory is sin as it is disobedience to His command( Thou shall not steal). Concentrating on “I” than on Christ is simply an imitation of the first sin committed by satan.
Further, the Bible says -The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.Matthew 10: 24. Therefore we are under Him. We are mere servants to the Lord. We must learn to say- So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.Luke 17: 10
Read this verse -A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.Proverbs 29: 23. From where shall this honour come to us? This honour is from the Lord. Have this desire to receive His honor as the praises from men is of no use. The same tongue of man who praised you yesterday may defame you tomorrow. People may praise you but never forget to glorify the Lord who gave this opportunity.
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.Acts 12: 21-24. Forgetting to glorify Him will be equivalent to seeking glory from men and thereby stealing His glory.
A man cannot be a servant until he humbles himself. God loves people of humble spirit. But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.James 4:6 Proud wants to be the chiefest whereas a servant knows that he has done what he is supposed to do and remembers his master is the Lord who is observing this. His honour is from the Lord. He knows His lord will say unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant. What is more required than this honour from the Lord?
Therefore, let the Christ live in you who is worthy to be praised as He laid down His life on the Cross. As St Paul said -I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: Galatians 2: 20. If Christ lives in you, you are no more. If you are no more, there is no question of desiring to be identified and be the chiefest among the people. If Christ lives in you, you will never prefer to be the chiefest.Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.Matthew 18: 4