Nobody Messengers
In a previous post, I had written about how shocked people were with the authority with which Jesus spoke. When Jesus taught in synagogues, people were often astounded that he could make such clear and bold interpretations of the text of scripture. Later, the world would be similarly scandalized by the boldness of the apostles.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13
These weren’t men known for their academic credentials. They hadn’t trained under a well known scholar of the texts. While some of their listeners did believe in Christ, they were stunned that such a thing could ever come from such humble messengers.
Harmful Titles
In John 5, we have an account of Jesus speaking with those who did have all the titles. These were men who had trained under the big names of their day. They had years of recognized service. They were the credible sources. Yet, when the long-awaited Messiah stood in their midst, they rejected him!
Jesus lets us know that it’s not because they had not done enough to prepare themselves to believe in him, but instead it was because of their credentials that they rejected him!
“I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?”
John 5:41-44
Jesus was glorified by his Father. Had he been another like them, who came in his own name with a long list of accolades from other men, they would have received him. However, they cared nothing for the glory that is from God. They could not believe, because they received their own glory from one another. Believing the glory from men was enough, they never sought glory which comes from God.
Counted As Rubbish
Paul would later illustrate the divide between the worldly credentials and the glory that comes from God in his own life to the Philippians.
For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:3-11
Unlike Jesus and the other apostles, Paul did have the credentials. He had lived a life fully committed to the way which was approved of by the leaders of that time, and had received a good deal of praise for it.
However, his encounter with Christ made him realize that all the glory men could give was worth nothing compared to the glory which comes from God. He decided to cast all of it aside to know the savior.
The World’s Terms
It may seem helpful to appeal to the world on secular terms. Maybe if we could build up our reputation in the flesh enough, we could win people over to Christ. This type of thinking is common in the church today. If we can outplay the world at its own credential game, perhaps we can win their ear.
How many credentialed scientists have been labeled “junk science” for daring to question the evolutionary narrative? There is talk about preventing pro-life people from studying or practicing medicine and removing psychologists who fail to affirm the ideas of transgenderism.
The world only finds these things meaningful so far as they can use them for gatekeeping, and the goal is to keep God out. If you want to be effective at serving God you must first rid yourself of the idea that you must validate yourself with the powers and systems of this age. They will always make a condition of having or keeping a rapport that you never promote God over the powers of our present darkness.
That’s not to say you need to avoid any recognition you may receive. You’re not damned for having a college degree. However, if you believe you need any of those things to honor God you have not learned the lesson that Paul learned on his road to Damascus. Seek the glory that comes from God.
