BiblicalInsights.net

Self-absorption seems to be a growing element of our popular culture.  “Selfie” was a new word added to the dictionary in 2013.  You might post a “selfie” on “Myspace.”  The first known selfie was produced by Robert Cornelius in 1839.  Vanity is nothing new.  Social networking has produced a greater motivation to get noticed.
Americans spent $38.698 billion on cosmetics in 2007.  Men spent $11.059 billion.  Women spent $27.638 billion.  American ranks #1 in the world on cosmetic spending, but #23 in the world on “satisfaction with life.”  Jennifer Aniston spends $8,000.00 a  month on exercise and beauty.  Vanity is alive and well in America today.
Vainglory Defined
Vainglory is a compound word made up of vain (kenos) and glory (doxia).  Kenos refers to that which is empty (Acts 4:25-vain things–among which would be idolatry).  Doxia refers to glory.  Vainglory is empty glory.  Vainglory is the desire to be noticed and praised by men.  Vainglory means to seek attention in disordered ways cultivated inwardly by pride or fear and externally by other’s high expectations. (see We’re So Vain, Christianity Today, Nov., 2014, p. 67).
Vainglory Developed
Vainglory may begin innocently after rightfully earning honor for some praiseworthy quality or accomplishment.  The thirst for applause grows.  A thirst for recognition grows and becomes overpowering.  Vainglory is the pursuit of praise rather than the good at its root.  The prideful desire superiority.  The vainglorious desire a show of superiority.  In Matt. 6:1-2, Jesus warned against religion that was merely an outward show.  If religion is practiced to be seen of men and for the praise of men, then it is vain.  The reward obtained is the applause of men, but God’s approval is withheld.  Vain religion is a sham and a shame.
Vainglory Its Associations
Vainglory is associated with strife in Phil. 2:3, “Let nothing be done through strife and vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”  Vainglory produces rivalry that often leads to confrontation and strife.  In I John 2:16, John mentions “the pride of life” as an avenue of temptation used by Satan to bring us to condemnation before God.  Eve succombed to this temptation whenever she saw that the forbidden fruit would make her wise like a god (Gen. 2:17, 3:5-6).  Pride fuels vainglory.  James associates boastings with evil in James 4:13-16.  “But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.”  Paul associates vainglory with envy in Gal. 5:26, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”  Envy drove the rivalry between the Jewish leaders and Jesus.  They envied Him and they destroyed Him by having Him crucified (Matt. 27:18; Mark 15:10). Finally, vainglory is at the root of hyprocrisy (Matt. 6:1-2; 23:1-ff).  Alms, fasting and prayer should not be done to attract the attention of men or for the applause of men.  Jesus reveals the hypocrisy of those who put on a show of religion but inwardly  are corrupt.  Often you can learn much about a word by the company it keeps!
Vainglory Its Opposites
Returning to Phil. 2:3, Paul states two things that stand in opposition to vainglory.  The first is lowliness of mind.  The second is esteeming others better than self.  Humility and self-abnegation stand in opposition to vainglory.  In I Cor. 13:4, Paul states that love “vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.”  Vainglory is slain by love.  Finally, goodness stands in opposition to vainglory.  We might refer to it as magnanimity or greatness of soul.  It is goodness for goodness sake.  It is living to please God and imitate Him (Eph. 5:1).  It is seeking only to please God (Gal. 1:10).
Vainglory Its Correction
When we really know and believe that we are loved by God, then we do not covet the accolades of men.  We are beloved of God (Rom. 1:7).  Vainglory is an attempt to fill up a void of acceptance and being loved.  God does both.  He accepts us and loves us.  Christians should pursue the good in order to be approved by God (II Tim. 2:15).  In order to correct vainglory, we must repent and be converted (Acts 3:19).  We must turn away from sin and turn whoeheartedly to God.  Then, we will follow Paul’s directive to esteem others better than self (Phil. 2:3).

David expresses a beautiful prayer in I Chronicles 29:10-19.  He makes this prayer prior to leaving the kingdom to his son, Solomon.  He glorifies God and credits Him as the source and owner of all things.  He gives thanks to the Almighty.  He prays that the spirit of joy that existed in Israel at that time would always be present.  And, he prays for Solomon.  Solomon is young and  inexperienced.  David has given him an important task: to rule over Israel and to build the temple.  David prays that Solomon will walk in the ways of the LORD.  The prayer begins with these words, “Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.  Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory,  and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.  Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.  Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.”  In all humility, we say, AMEN!

First impressions are the impact that we make upon others when we first meet them.  We may say or do things that they will remember for a lilfetime.  Last impressions are equally as important.  Before Jesus’ death, He met with His disciples in the upper room and told them some very important things.  The Upper Room Discourse is found in John 13-17.
Service Motivated By Humility
Jesus took a towel and a basin of water and washed His disciples’ feet.  Peter protested at first, but then conceded once he realized that if he did not permit the Lord to wash his feet he would have no part with him.  Jesus said, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15).  He further explains this example, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.”  Jesus taught a service model of leadership.  This model, if followed, will lead to greatness in the kingdom of God. It is no surprise that those in the business world have picked up on it and utilize it.  Kip Tindell, CEO of the Container Store leads with respect and emotional intelligence.  He tells his employees that he loves them and can often be seen giving them  a hug.  People will work harder and be more loyal when they believe you love and respect them.  Our greatness is not determined by occupying the highest positions.  It is accomplished by doing good for others and working diligently in the Lord’s kingdom.
Faith/Comfort/Hope
In John 14:1-3, Jesus emphasizes faith in God and in Him.  Comfort comes to the heart through faith in the promises of  God.  Faith and hope are inseparably linked.  If we will follow Jesus, we can live for eternity with purpose and peace.  Only in this way can we know real joy.
Strength
In John 15:1-8, Jesus taught that He was the vine and the disciples were the branches.  “I am the vine and ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).  Strength and productivity are the result of being spiritually connected to the vine (Jesus).  Spiritual nourishment strengthens the human soul for the struggles of the soul.  In John 15:9-14, Jesus mentions another source of strength.  Jesus desires that they abide in His love.  By keeping His commandments, they will abide in His love.  Then, He commands them, “That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:12-14).  His disciples must abide in love for Him and for one another.  This way they will be spiritually connected to Him and to each other.  They will never be alone!  There is strength in numbers when those we love stay close and supply help.
Empowerment
In John 16:5-15, Jesus promises that after He ascends into heaven, He will send the Comforter (The Holy Spirit) to be present with them and to empower them.  The Holy Spirit  would guide them into all truth.  He would reprove the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.  His word would be the means of communicating God’s grace and goodness to men.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ contains this message of good news (Rom. 1:16).  The power to save men is still found in the gospel.
Unity/Prayer
In John 17:1-26, Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and all those that would believe on Him through the gospel.  Jesus prays that His disciples would be one “as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee” (John 17:21).  Spiritual union with Christ is the foundation of unity among brethren.  Christ is the only foundation upon which we can build (I Cor. 3:11).  He is the central force that holds all Christians together.  Jesus prayed for unity and we must pray for it too and then endeavor to keep it.
Love
The golden thread that runs through the entire discourse is love.  In John 13:1, John tells of Jesus’  love for His disciples. John states that Jesus loved them unto the end.   In John 13:34-35, He commands the disciples to love one another.  In John 14:15, He speaks of the disciples’ love for Him.  In John 14:31, He mentions the love that He has for the Father (this is the only passage in the New Testament where Jesus directly affirms His love for the Father).  In John 15:12-13, He speaks of the greatest love, i.e. sacrificial and selfless love manifested in His own death.  In John 15:17, He repeats the command for them to love one another.  In John 16:27, Jesus references the love of the Father for the disciples.  In John 17:23, He tells of the love of the Father for the Son and the disciples.  Finally,  in John 17:26, He prays that the love of the Father for the Son may be in the disciples. The discourse begins with love and ends with love.  Love is the bond that holds every relationship together.
The last thoughts expressed by the Lord to His disciples were designed to sustain them through difficult times and guide them to greater service in His kingdom.  Faith, hope and love are intermingled in these thoughts.  Together, they make a formidable last impression.

Recently, I experienced a cyberattack.  This caused me to also experience a shut-down of my webpage for several days.  I have corrected all problems and I have uploaded all of the previous information that existed on my webpage.  In short:  I’m back!  Thanks for your patience and be sure to tell others about this website.