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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