42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
Despite the massive unbelief of the Jewish nation, God still maintained a remnant. In our verses for today, we see even among the leaders those who were persuaded in the Truthfulness of Christ. Sadly, they were not bold enough to acknowledge their faith for fear of the consequences that would ensue. It would appear that mankind continuously seeks the approval and acceptance of mankind. We so worry about the praise of the creature rather than the praise of the Creator – bad decision. Earlier in John, Jesus states:
41 "I do not accept praise from men, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? John 5:41-44 (NIV)
“Men who fear God face life fearlessly.” Richard Halverson
Does the praise of men tickle our ears and motivate our actions prompting us to have very little or no regard for the praise of God? This is a cause for many a downfall. King Saul is a perfect example from Scripture. The first King of Israel suffered with the problem of people pleasing. Neglecting the Lord’s command to totally destroy the Amalekites and everything belonging to them, Saul spares the king and some of the best of the sheep and cattle and lambs. His actions did not please God (to say the least):
10 Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: 11 "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night. 1 Sam 15:10-11 (NIV)
After questioning Saul by Samuel we discover the reason for his treason against God:
24 Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. 1 Sam 15:24 (NIV)
Saul proved to be a chicken – a coward among men. Unwilling to stand for the hard right against the easy wrong in an effort to be embraced and lauded by flesh and blood – something is definitely wrong with this picture. Paul had it right when he wrote to the Thessalonians:
2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. 1 Thess 2:1-6 (NIV)
Man judges by external appearances yet it is God who judges by the heart. Man can believe any feigned character yet God knows the motives behind the behavior. Man‘s knowledge is limited and a poor reflection of the whole picture yet God sees all clearly and fully. So why is it that we are so easily swayed to please people rather than God? King David’s words come to mind in his speech to his son Solomon:
9 "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chron 28:9 (NIV)
Scripture tells us the greatest command is that we are to love God first and foremost yet we often reject Him by choosing to love and serve created things more than the Creator:
5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deut 6:5 (NIV)
25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen. Romans 1:25 (NIV)
“The way to disengage the heart from the love of one object is to fasten it in positive love to another. It is not by exposing the worthlessness of the former, but by addressing the worth and excellence of the latter that all old things are to be done away and all things are to become new. The only way to dispossess the heart of an old affection is by the expulsive power of a new one. Thomas Chalmers