Seeking Honor

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?'” Matthew 18:1 (NASB)
Whenever issues of personal opinion or taste become divisive in the body of Christ, we are insisting our way is better just because it is our way. When titles and offices become more important to us than ministry, we have succumbed to the temptation of seeking greatness.
One way we can fight this temptation is to remember where we have come from. We are sinners saved by grace. Another way to follow Jesus is to practice the way of love–actively seeking ways to express love and honor to others instead of seeking honor for ourselves.
In Matthew chapter 20, we find that James and John, with their mother as spokesperson, requested that they might have the two highest places in the kingdom. How sad when the minds of men run in the line of thought that seeks glorification and honor for themselves, instead of honoring the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:3-5 (NASB)