Day 307.
Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. (John 12:42, 43 ESV)
So many even today say they believe in Jesus and yet remain, at best, peripherally involved in His church and pursue the agendas of our culture, wealth and pleasure, as anyone else might. But because they “believe in Jesus” they think their eternal future is secure. To live as such is to treat their faith as “fire insurance”, that is, having value only in that it will save them one day from the fires of hell. All this because they love the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. But this is not faith at all. To believe in Jesus is to have your world turned upside down. All of your values get realigned to those of Jesus, as does your agenda. You belong to him body and soul. Your glory is wrapped up in Jesus’ glory.
Lord, protect us from ever having a false sense of security. Do not let us think we believe when our faith is not from you.