John 12:27-30 English Standard Version

²⁷ “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” ²⁹ The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” ³⁰ Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine.”

In verse 21 Greeks came to Philip and said, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” It was these Greeks that had not been in the area but had come because they had heard about His reputation. Now in this solemn moment they saw Jesus in a personal conversation with Father God. They were blessed to be in His presence as the Father’s voice answered the Son.

This is the glory of the Son that God the Father declares. He has glorified His name, pass tense and will do so again future tense. Jesus declares this for our sake. This is the message of glory in His name that it would not be for only those at that time but to all who have heard from God.

Romans 8:29-30 English Standard Version

²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Called, justified, glorified, in the future tense because God knew who would believe in His Son by faith.

Have you heard God call you to His side? “The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”” The Greeks on that day might not have understood what was said but they had no doubt as to the authenticity of the man that stood before them.

Romans 10:2-4

English Standard Version

² For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. ³ For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. ⁴ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.^[a]

 Footnote a Or end of the law, that everyone who believes may be justified

A snitch might have a zeal for God but if they have not submitted themselves to God’s righteousness then they are in danger of missing the point that all who believe are justified in God’s sight. We do not have the right to judge others whom God has justified.

This is what judgment does in trying to promote self before others.

There is a line from a popular TV series that seems appropriate here. “We didn’t move ahead just because the line got shorter.”

The issue of the line getting shorter is directed at how judgment causes division and if left unchecked will cause people to leave fellowship. We cannot help those who leave and even more importantly, they cannot help us with our problems. Submitting to each other is meant to heal the body, not wound one another.

John 13:35 English Standard Version (ESV) By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

All people is a clear indication that our treatment of one another is seen in the community and if found to be lacking in love, they will not come in to discover what a life in Christ is really like. This after all is about introducing the lost to Christ.