“How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?”

  - John 5.44

I call God into my soul as a witness, that I am not lying. Nor would I wish to write to you to ingratiate myself or to gain anything from you, nor because I look for respect from any of you. If my integrity is not clear to you, it is enough for me that I am sure of it in my heart. Moreover, He Who made His promise to the faithful, He never lies.

  - Patrick, Confession, Irish, 5th century[1]

The Christian lives within and toward two horizons. The near one is occupied by the people, situations, conditions, and opportunities of our everyday lives. The far one is but a distant glow beyond the boundaries of time, where a realm of glory and joy radiates from the throne of King Jesus, in a new world which He is preparing for us even now.

Our greatest challenge as Christians is learning to live within and toward both those horizons, at one and the same time. If we only focus on the eternal horizon, we might not take seriously our calling to seek that Kingdom here and now, as well as then and there. We’ll be so heavenly-minded that we’re of no earthly good.

If we focus only, or even primarily, on the temporal horizon, we’ll end up comparing ourselves by ourselves, and seeking attention, approval, or acclaim from people. And there’s no telling what we might do to achieve that.

Whom are we trying to impress? Before whom do we want to look good? Whose esteem are we seeking, and whom do we want speaking well of us?

Which horizon defines the entirety of our lives?

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day constantly sought to impress one another and the people of Israel with their paste-on piety and legal trash-talk. They were puffed up with self-importance, wanted people to defer to them, so they could continue to enjoy the benefits of their pseudo-power.

Jesus punctured their balloons, and they hated Him for it.

The bishops in 5^th-century Britain hated Patrick for the same reason – he was doing the work of God while they were puffing-up one another in the cushy and safe environs of their parishes and churches. Someone must have said something favorable about Patrick’s work among the heathen Irish, perhaps even casting aspersions on the moribund state of religion in England at the time (see my series on Gildas’ scathing commentary of British churches then). They didn’t like being upstaged, so they went after Patrick with as much vigor and nastiness as the religious leaders of Jesus’ day went after Him. They demanded he return to Britain and give them an account of his ministry.

But, like Jesus, Patrick was undeterred. He believed in Christ, believed in his calling from the Lord, and believed the results of his ministry spoke for themselves. He must have wondered from time to time if those who were criticizing him – and, by implication, the Lord – back in Britain, really had any faith at all. If they weren’t so concerned with impressing one another and the people in their churches, maybe they would have been as zealous for the Lord and His mission as Patrick was.

The near horizon of faith is sometimes just too near. So near, in fact, that it can block out the far horizon and lead us to think that what matters most is being loved by others rather loving others with the grace of Christ. But we’ll find it hard to believe in Jesus and follow Him when we’re seeking glory from people, and doing whatever it takes to win their esteem.

The temptation to want to impress others with our faith is a daily challenge. Resist it; seek only to impress the Lord, and that only out of the deepest gratitude and love.

Psalm 115.1-3 (Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
Not to us, O God, not us,
    But unto Your Name give glory!
For Your love and faithfulness,
    Ever to Your Name be glory!
Why should the nations cry, “Where is their God on high?”
You rule us, Lord, on high –
    Ever to Your Name be glory!

Help me, Lord, to live this day in a manner pleasing to You, that I might have Your “well done” assurance at the end of the day. 

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T. M. Moore, Principal
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All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.