No Glory = No Faith

Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” [John 11.40]

This carries over from my post yesterday "Believing Is Not Enough..."

In other words, Jesus told Martha, "if you don't believe, you won't see God's glory."

So, if we are not seeing God's glory, we are not believing.

Ouch! 

Isn't there some doctrine that will make me feel better about myself? I mean, after all, I should feel good about myself, right? If the Bible doesn't make me feel good about myself, maybe I should just not read it, right? I mean, really, its all about me, correct?

Here's the real deal, and it's found right in today's reading also:

If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it. [Luke 17.33]

The context of this verse makes it even more pointed. Jesus said this in discussion about the end time. We have always believed that there would just be an "instant" when believers all vanish, but Jesus' comment here tends to indicate there is some participation of the true believer in this event - "letting go." Why else would He suggest "not packing" or "going back home..."?

"Believing" is indeed letting go. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego gave us some insight into this:

Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” [Daniel 3.14-18]

I want to see God's glory in and through my life. I really do. But, as in the case above of the three Hebrews referenced in Daniel, even if I do not see God's glory, I don't want to stop believing. I would much rather "fail" at believing (and suffer for it) than to pollute my faith in God by resorting to the world's ways - just so I might continue to live. If God's glory alone cannot be clearly distinguished in my faith to live, then let it be seen in my faith to die. But let God's glory be seen!

Father, I know words written here are cheap. May my life reflect Your glory - it is Yours to do with as You wish. I trust only You.