CHRISTIAN GLORY AND THE GLORY OF THE WORLD’S “HERD”
The Bible points out a profound truth about human nature: “How can you believe, who seek glory from one another, and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44). This question separates two paths, two value systems, and two completely opposite kinds of glory: the glory that comes from God and the glory that is shared in the world’s “herd.”
- The Broad Road of the “Herd”
The glory of the world is broad, easy, and inviting. Its foundation is “self-centeredness.” It operates as a tacit pact between like-minded people, as the Word of God describes in the book of Proverbs:
“They say, ‘Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood… we will get precious riches and fill our houses with plunder. Cast lots with us, and we will have one purse’” (Proverbs 1:11-14).
This is the mechanism of the “monopoly”: a system of power, group interests, where people support, protect and glorify each other for mutual benefit. The leader of this system is Satan, who once made an invitation to Jesus himself: “I will give you all this authority and the glory of these kingdoms, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. If you will fall down and worship me, it will all be yours” (Luke 4:6-7).
The fleshly nature of man longs for this tangible security. He does not want to live with a spirit that struggles to seek God, but rather wants a “fleshly flock” to rely on. This is evident when the Israelites demanded a king to rule over them. They wanted a king, an army, chariots, horses – a visible system of power so that they could feel secure, instead of trusting in the invisible protection of God.
- The Price of Rejection: Being Hated by the World
When a true Christian refuses to seek glory in the “fleshly flock”, he inevitably becomes its enemy. He does not participate in power games, does not share in unjust gains, and does not seek recognition from men. As a result, he will be persecuted by the world.
Jesus foretold this clearly: “If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you… All these things will be done to you for My name’s sake” (John 15:18-21).
Being rejected, slandered and persecuted is not a sign of failure, but on the contrary, it is evidence that they no longer belong to the world’s system.
- True Glory: Living by Spiritual Warfare
When they have been rejected by the “herd” and all the doors of the world are closed, true Christians have only one way to live: spiritual warfare. They cannot rely on human strength, tricks or relationships. They are forced to live entirely by faith.
In this battle, their only weapon is the Word of God. The Word of God becomes bread for nourishment, a sword for battle, and a source of strength to stand firm when all around them is against them. Their glory is not in being famous before men, but in standing firm in faith in the midst of adversity. It is peace when surrounded by storms, joy when humiliated, spiritual wealth when deprived of material things. This is the glory that comes from God alone, a glory that the world “alone” can never understand, and can never take away.