This morning, I read one of my favorite verses:

“My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me…He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.” (John 7:16,18)

I was struck by two truths about Jesus and four questions… there’s probably lots of truths and questions, but these were the two I was thinking about.

First: there is nothing false about Jesus. Since that’s true, do I really trust all of his teachings? Is there anything false in my life? It’s one thing to know what Jesus taught, and it’s a whole different thing to do what he taught. If I don’t do what I know to be true, then what I’m doing is trusting my way more than Jesus’ way. Doing the wrong thing is a trust issue. The fact that there was nothing false about Jesus never fails to convict me. I think through what I’m hiding, about the things I’m afraid to say… and the things I’d be afraid if they were seen… It’s a call to live with greater integrity.

Second: Jesus spoke for the glory of God, the Father who sent him. Since this is true, is God the sole object of my affections, is he the One whom I consider to be most Glorious? Also, whom am I glorifiying with my words? The first question is about worship, is God most important, even more imporant than my family and my selfishness. The second question is a bit more subtle… for it is about the heart, the motivation for what I say. It’s not just about saying the right things, it’s about speking the truth with a sincere desire to glorify God. Even this email could be an attempt to seem clever or spiritual, to turn your eyes toward me and see me as great. This isn’t the case, but it’s a very real temptation with every word.

I want to be like Jesus. I want to trust his teachings, and live with integrity. I want to glorify God, turning others to him authentically. I want to run from deception and glory seeking. THANK YOU GOD for your help, I need it!