IN SEARCH OF GLORY
The immense number of people in the church who
dedicate time, money and skills in actions with the sole interest of promoting
evangelization and the expansion of the Kingdom of God on earth is notorious.
However, it is appropriate to highlight that some people who also doing this,
are in truth in search of fame, recognition and power. They are engaged in
Christian service, but deep down they seek self-affirmation as a person and a
means of being in evidence, highlighted, within the ecclesiastical community.
It is true that there are not many, but as they seek relevant positions that
influence the action of the Church, this fact draws attention.
Of course, this is not the case for everyone who is
in visibility and leadership roles. Christian service involves, in human eyes,
from the simplest and humblest functions to the most respectful, although for
God they are all equally important, for everything is for Him, who does not do
distinction of people. Even considering the many examples of sincere and
consecrated lives in Christian service, this issue should be reflected, because
we are all subject to making such a mistake. The effects of original sin are so
strong in us that we can sin even in the practice of spiritual disciplines and
in the manifestations of our devotion to God.
Jesus, for example, recommended to the disciples
not to be like the hypocrites who used “to pray standing in the synagogues and
on the street corners to be seen by others” (Matthew6.5). This shows that we
sin even in the practice of spiritual acts. He, the Lord Jesus, warned us about
it also in a parable that told about a pharisee who prayed to God by expressing
pride in his "superior" spirituality that of a publican. Jesus was
showing that we can exalt ourselves, even in a prayer (Luke18.9-14). We need to
reflect on the true motives of our action in the Kingdom of God.
Even our leaders and teachers, who should be a role
model in love and devotion, make this mistake. Mark, for example, recorded that
the apostles James and John called Jesus in particular and asked for prominent
positions in their Kingdom (10.35-44). On another occasion, the Lord, referring
to Israel's religious leaders, said, "all they do is to be seen by
men" and continued to say that all their action was in search of honor and
notoriety. In this speech, Jesus severely condemned the self-exaltation of leaders
(Matthew23.1-12).
This problem that existed in both Judaism and among
the first Christians exists today in the Church. Adamic sin is, in the
background, a search for glory. The narrative of the Fall, that is, of original
sin shows that man wanted to be "like God" (Genesis3.5). What did the
tempting man offer to Jesus in the wilderness except fame, wealth, and power?
That's what people go after and the concept of "success" in the world
is based on these things. This concept entered the present Church. Many
understand the relevance of their action in the Body of Christ, based on these
parameters. We often see people behaving in christ's church as
celebrities.
However, Jesus rejected this stance not only when
he was tempted in the wilderness, but throughout his performance, marked by
original teachings and great miracles. The gospels pass the idea that our
relevance lies in emptying ourselves so that Christ may be revealed to the
world in us. This idea guided the life of John the Baptist. He said, referring
to Jesus, "He must become greater; I must become less” (John3:30). Peter,
too, once spoke to Jesus, "we have left everything to follow you!” (Matthew19:27).
If we want prominent positions, we need to keep in mind what the Lord said:
"the greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt
themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted”
(Matthew23:11).
If our brilliance differs in nothing from those
that shine in the world, we are like the salt that has lost its flavor
(Matthew5.13). The glory of the world is founded on arrogance, pride and
vanity, that is, in what is vain, empty and without essence. Jesus, however,
asked God for a different glory: "Father, glorify me in your presence with
the glory I had with you before the world began” (John 17:5). Thus, it seems
prudent to us to seek, rather, this glory, which according to the Apostle Paul
one day "in us shall be revealed" (Romans 8:18). However, like
Christ, in order to achieve it we must walk the path of the cross.
Antônio Maia - M. Div.
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