Re:Verse reading–Luke 4:14-30 (day one)
Wrong holiday? Maybe not!
When Jesus returned to Nazareth, His hometown, it was quickly evident that his ideas had grown and changed. Stretched the limits of the narrow nationalism and “us first” competition with other cities.
Wasn’t a popular move. As Jesus preached a God who was good to Gentiles, a God who revealed himself on the condition of faith (see Matthew 13:58, another day in Nazareth), the people of His city were offended. Angry. Who does He think He is?!
The more a man depends on the Spirit, the less he will hold or parrot the ideas of popular society. He will be “original” in the truest sense.
Paul later gave testimony. “For me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court. . . but the one who examines me is the Lord.”–1 Corinthians 4:3-4
Happy New Year, friends! Happy Independence from the thoughts of men!
It is not always wrong with being popular! If we are considered “a light of others” or “a model for others”, some people would be drawn to us. In this sense, we are popular.
Jesus was popular. He gained favor with God and men as a young boy. He even gained more popularity when he became an adult as great crowds followed him from various cities.
We know Jesus wasn’t pursuing popularity and did not seek approval from men. He sought the approval of God. He simply did what would please God. I am certain He was fully aware that any approvals from men would be temporary. Being popular isn’t always wrong! Being wealthy isn’t always wrong. The problem lies in how we obtain and maintain our popularity or wealth! Popularity is not a sin. Wealth is not a sin. How to get to it will determine right or wrong, moral or immoral, ethical or unethical!
The path to ungodly popularity is dangerous and is full of men’s ungodly behaviors and actions. Ungodly people will do anything to be popular among men and is desperate to gain others’ approval. They will do anything to stay popular among men. They will attract the crowds of ungodly people for sure! Ungodly people will be drawn to them. Ungodly people act based on their own sets of rules, desires and standards, not God’s standards.
Being popular isn’t always wrong. It is wrong when we glorify men and when we seek men’s approvals despite how dark and ungodly the path might be. We know we are on the right path of popularity when we are not seeking to glorify ourselves, but to glorify God and are seeking God’s approvals for our attitudes, behaviors and actions. Knowing God’s standards is a sure way to reach the desired kind of popularity. I am sure sticking to the Bible will help us remove dark temptation of seeking men’s approval and help us focus on what is right with God.
Who does not want to draw the right kind of followers for the right cause and purpose? Who are your followers? God’s people or Satan’s people? Godly or ungodly ones? Congrats if you have gained the Jesus’ type of popularity.
Happy 2018 to all!