Man's Applause

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service-Romans 12:1

I have a hard time with Public Praise.  Why?  Romans 7:18a, For I know that in me (that is, my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:

I want to crawl under the nearest chair when someone wants to recognize me for something I have done because I know that all the 'good' in me is the Lord's doing.  If I have accomplished anything, it's because of the Lord in me, doing His good work.

All the praise belongs to my Saviour.

So, why do we do the things we do?  Has our Christian Service come down to gold stickers, pats on our backs, and praises from men?

Do we love the praise of men more than the praise of God?  John 12:43

Is it for men to see?  Or is it unto the Lord?  Colossians 3:23-24

If it's for man, you will have your earthly reward.  Matthew 6:1-3

Me, I'd rather wait and get my heavenly reward from Jesus, that way I can lay my rewards back down at my Saviour's feet for His honor and for His glory.  After all-that's where they all belong anyway-

    But that's just me!

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,

I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause,

I'd rather have Jesus than world wide fame,

I'd rather be true, to His Holy Name.

Than to be the king of a vast domain,

or be held in sin's dread sway-

I'd rather have Jesus than anything,

this world affords today.

Lyrics by Rhea. F. Miller, Music by George Beverly Shea