Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Luke 2:39-52: Favor with God and Man


Luke 2:52
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man.

I have been thinking about this concept the past few days and contrasting this verse with Luke 6:26, "Woe to (alas for) you when everyone speaks fairly and handsomely of you and praises you, for even so their forefathers did to the false prophets"(Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).


I find these two verses in contradiction.  How can a person have favor and then be in danger of being found as false?

Could it mean that as we increase in wisdom and favor with God and man, that there is a danger of it "going to our heads"?  Pride comes before a fall. 


Proverbs 16:18
Classic Edition (AMPC)
 
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
 
It's a true blessing when God smiles on our lives, but in a way it is also a temptation as well.  The temptation is that we may begin to think that we, in our own power caused people to praise us and speak well of us.  Furthermore, another temptation would be to then say what others want us to say in order to maintain that good standing.  
 
This is where a false prophet is made.  No longer is the person God's mouthpiece, but a people-pleasing mouthpiece.  
 
These verses don't contradict each other after all, but offer direction and a warning to remain humble and thankful for the favor that God bestows.  And to never idolize the good things people say about us.

Bless you dear friends!

2 comments:

Diwakar said...

Hello sister in the Lord (Beautiful Grace) I am so blessed to know you through your profile on the blogger and the post. I am also honored and privileged to get connected with you because of who you are in the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. It is my strong desire to get connected with the people of God globally to build relationship and encourage, strengthen and pray for one another. I am blessed to see the pictures of your husband and two sons and the older son's wife too. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 37yrs in the great city of Mumbai a city with great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the broken hearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the West to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have you and your husband come to Mumbai to work with us during your vacation time or encourage young younger son to come to Mumbai with his friends to work with us during your / their vacation time. I am sure they/ you will have a life changing experience. God's richest blessings on you, your family and friends. Looking forward to hear fom you very soon

Beautiful Grace said...

Hello, Diwakar,

I appreciate the invitation to visit India. At this time, it wouldn't be possible. I'm thankful that this blog has been a blessing to you. To be a blessing to others is my desire.

FYI, neither of my sons are married presently. The "wedding" picture posted on my blog is my husband and I. We celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in 2014 with a renewal of our vows and a "honeymoon."

Blessing overflow you and yours,
Beautiful Grace