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Exchanging your anointing for fame: Is it worth the price?
"If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing" —John 8:54.
Have you notice there’s no record of John the Baptist performing any miracles, yet at that time Jesus said that there was no one greater than John (Matthew 11:11; Luke 7:28). What does this tell us? God honors our devotion, commitment, and obedience over gifts, miracles, sign and wonders, etc. John lived a surrendered life and was committed to his calling of ushering in the presence of God into his generation. Self-elevation may count with and impress men, but God is more interested in the one who is fully surrendered to Him. Continue reading...
John 3:14 NIV says, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” The only way to be effective in the Kingdom of Heaven is when God is glorified and not us.
Effectiveness on earth does not automatically equal effectiveness in heaven. Matthew 16:26 lets us know that it is possible to be famous, experience increase, reach a prominent level of success, have an increase of wealth and resources, and still not be in God’s will or lose your soul.
It is common to see someone who has been called to bring people into the Kingdom of Heaven fall into the trap of promoting and advancing themselves. And since they are being admired, they believe their popularity equates to righteousness. But they have fallen into the trap like the hypocrites Jesus spoke about in Matthew 6:2. They believe they have a reward waiting for them, but they have already received their award.
God wants our light to shine out for others to see so God can be glorified—not for us to be glorified (Matthew 5:16; John 8:50). Our purpose is to spread God’s fame throughout the earth—not our name (Exodus 9:16).
Those of us who are called to be “fishers of men,” or God’s disciples, we are not above our teacher because a disciple is not above his master (Matthew 4:19; Luke 6:40). So then, we should never put ourselves in a position where we are outshining God. Only when you introduce the world to Christ will your calling be effective, impactful, influencing, and showing the right results.
The right results include people glorifying God, depending on God, and God being their only “super star.” Unfortunately, some of us have positioned ourselves into becoming idols.
Instead of people worshiping God they are worshipping His messengers. This is no better than the kings God spoke about in the Bible who cause His people to idolize (1Kings 16:2). As God’s ambassador, this is a damning way to live because Matthew 16:27 KJV says, “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
We do not have saving power and we cannot give someone eternal life; it is only when they believe in Jesus Christ can they be saved.
When we take that away from people, we have fallen into the enemy's trap of not being useable by God to save many souls. Romans 10:13 says, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord [not our name] will be saved.”
We may be able to fool people, but we cannot fool God (Proverbs 10:9, 12:22; Galatians 5:16-26; John8:44). “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8 ESV).
Jesus had the power of the Holy Spirit within operating at intensity because He was fully surrendered to God the Father. And He made sure that when He spoke it was what God the Father wanted to be said (John 14:10, 24, 31). This made Jesus highly influential to where people would travel to hear Him speak. People searched for Him because of His reputation and abilities (John 6; 12:9-11; 17:19).
When you yield to God you won’t need to promote yourself because the anointing on your life will draw people to the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within. And when people are drawn to God miracles happen. But God must be the one who draws people to us for His will and glory—not for self-gratification (John 6:44).
Jesus said when He is lifted up (speaking about the cross), He will draw everyone to Himself (John 12:32). We are God's conduits for bringing people to Jesus and not to ourselves. He is the only one with all-power and rights and we are the ones He imparts them onto. Without God we cannot do anything (John 15:1-8; 12: 49-50).
Jesus was humble, and although He was God, He had no interest in being elevated, famous, or praised by people (John 6:15, 7:4-6). He was not interested in power or status (John 8:50). Most importantly, He always gave credit to God the Father, adhered to God’s timing, and waited for His time when He would be glorified and crowned king (John 7:4-6, 17:1; 12:16, 23, 28; 13:31).
"Jesus answered them by saying, “My teaching is not My own, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know whether the teaching is of God or whether I speak on My own accord and by My own authority. He who speaks on his own accord seeks glory and honor for himself. But He who seeks the glory and the honor of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness or deception in Him"
—John 7:16-18.
He also said, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me."
—John 8:54.
Jesus didn’t do miracles to show off. He did them to help unbelievers believe in Him and believers have unwavering faith (John 9:1-3; 10:25, 32, 38, 41-42; 11:4, 14, 23-28, 37-38, 40-41; John 12:37-41). Also, did things out of love, compassion and to see God glorified (Matthew 8:3; 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; Luke 7:13).
Our motives should follow Jesus and do the same thing. Let it all be done for the love of people and to reveal and glorify God (John17:6). Even the glory that is evident on us comes from God (John 17:22). Therefore, we should not be taking credit for what God has done.
There is a price to pay for wanting fame over God’s will and using the gifts of God for your own gain. Therefore, let's pattern after the ways of Jesus Christ.
It is possible to be great in the sight of the Lord and not great in the sight of man. It is also possible to be great in the sight of man and not great in the sight of God. Which would you choose?...We so often gravitate towards the things that will make us look great to the people around us, and while being great in the sight of man is not wrong in itself, it becomes a problem when we let it define our identity and sense of worth. Our priority in life should be greatest in the sight of the Lord. An excerpt from Life on fire by James Aladiran
In John 7:4-6 Jesus moved in secret (although He was popular) and didn't want to be publicized before His time. He knew God works in seasons and His time to be made known as King was appointed.
"I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do." (John 17:4 NIV).
Like Jesus, when people see and hear us they must see God in our words, life, character, and purpose (John 14:9; 17:8). Anyone who sees us should see Jesus, and anyone who hears us should only hear what God gives us to say (John 14:9; 17:8).
Some of us are called to work for God, not be God. God is the true Sheppard of the sheep (His people) and is the only one that was willing, able, and worthy to lay down His life for us (John 10:11-18). Therefore, there should be one flock: family of Christ and one Sheppard: Jesus Christ (John 10:16).
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A call for salvation
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, His spirit will come to live inside you. This is one of the greatest blessings of salvation. You don't have to go through someone else to get to God, and He will live in your heart where you and Him become one and have a relationship.
All you have to do is make the choice of salvation by repenting of your sins and accepting Jesus into your life by confessing that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that He came from Heaven to die for your sins (Romans 10:9).
Here's a prayer you can repeat:
"Jesus, I confess that you are Lord, and I believe you died and was risen for my sins. I repent and ask for forgiveness of my sins, and I accept you as my personal Lord and Savior. Come into my heart and remove my sins. Thank you for forgiving me and making me into a new person in Jesus' name, Amen."
Once you have done this, please pray and ask God to guide you to a ministry where you can grow and start living the abundant life Jesus promised and died for.