Man makes the choice whether to seek the approval and praise of man or the One who made man. The Pharisees definitely sought to please men and garner the praise and glory that belong to God exclusively.
Not much has changed for the contemporary majority.
Jesus differentiated between the self-seekers of glory and those who give the praise, honor, and glory to God. The self-seekers are more concerned with “I” vs. ‘He’.
Recall the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.
“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men – extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’” Luke 18:11-12
Jesus went on to explain that the one who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one that humbles himself will be exalted.
Self-seeking was a common topic in Jesus’ teachings.
“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.” John 7:18
The Greek for glory has several significant synonyms including praise and honor. When men seek glory for themselves it typically relates to the favorable opinion of other men.
Jesus was explaining that He sought only the glory of His Father.
“I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me…How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?” John 5:41-44
Jesus explained again that the love of God was not in a man who sought honor and glory from other men rather than seeking the honor that comes from the one and only God. They should rather receive Jesus inasmuch as He was the manifestation of God and did not seek honor for Himself.
And while many believed in Jesus and His message, they kept silent so as to please the crowd.
“Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” John 12:42-43
Even the powerful Roman Governor Pontius Pilate succumbed to the demands of the Jewish leaders.
“So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them…” Mark 15:15
And so it is today as it was two thousand years ago, the majority on the wide road is more concerned with peer approval, or fear of peer disapproval, than they are with seeking God’s approval regardless of the truth.
Remember, glory belongs exclusively to God.
“I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another…” Isaiah 42:8
The effort today to avoid offending others has really put America on a slippery slope. A major aspect is appeasing those who are offended by Biblical truths either in spoken word, deed, or display.
Civil ‘rights’ are taking precedence over Christian freedoms.
Consider further if the majority in America is not Christian, and if they were to raise their voice in unison to support anti-Christian legislation
(which is happening nearly daily), what is the future of this nation’s democracy?
Roe vs. Wade, Defense of Marriage Act, legalization of drugs, allowing immigrants the right not to assimilate into American culture, and countless other ‘rights’ will reek havoc on this democracy and as a result democracy will fail.
According to the Bible Christ will return to earth and will ‘strike the nations…and He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.’
The Bible further states that upon His return to earth after the approaching great tribulation He will be King, Lawgiver, and Judge.
“And the government will be upon His shoulder…of the increase of His government…there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6-7
National democracies will become a single worldwide monarchy.
The majority, however, will reject Biblical pre-written history.