My wonderful friend Chuck Swindoll wrote, “If your life is an example of glorifying God, others won’t see your good works and glorify YOU, because they’ll know what you are doing is for God’s glory.” How contrary that is in our attention-seeking culture that screams, “Look at me!” if even for five minutes of fame. Seeking one’s own glory isn’t unique to worldly environments. It’s a temptation in the church, too.
Our purpose in life is not to be successful for the sake of success itself. It is to honor and glorify God. He created us for His glory, and we should seek to bring glory to God in everything we do (Isaiah 43:7, 1 Corinthians 10:31). Our successes should point back to God’s goodness: “Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of Your mercy, because of Your truth” (Psalm 115:1).
In the Bible, “glory” refers to the manifestation of God’s presence and the radiance of His character. It points to dignity, worth, honor, reverence, and status. The Hebrew word also means “heaviness” or “weight.” Bringing glory to God, brings honor to Him and acknowledges the weight of His worthiness, magnificence, and majesty. We glorify Him by praising Him, pointing out His goodness and mercy to others, and living a Holy life that represents Christ’s character. This is our united calling.
The fruits of a Christ-centered life are evident in those who recognize their God ordained calling and purpose (Galatians 5:22-23). True and committed believers who celebrate God’s glory are loving, forgiving, kind-hearted, humble, considerate, encouraging, and full of grace, but not for their own glory. “Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
When Moses asked to see God’s glory, God said He would make all His goodness pass before him, but He warned, “You cannot see My face, for mankind shall not see Me and live!” (Exodus 33:20). So awesome and powerful was His face that God covered him with His hand until He had passed. Then Moses was allowed to see God’s back, the afterglow of His glory.
God displayed His glory many times in Scripture. He represented Himself in a great white cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night as He led the Israelites through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). When the Tabernacle was built, God’s radiance and glory filled the temple in a similar way (1 Kings 8:10). Finally, with the birth and death of Jesus Christ, God’s glory on earth became identified with grace and truth (John 1:14). Christ was the radiance of God’s glory personified, the exact representation of His nature (Hebrews 1:3). He taught us that, as a mirror reflects lights, we are to reflect His glory to a sinful world. We are to be His disciples and mimic a Christ-like character.
How is God’s glory seen today? Sometimes it is the afterglow of His glory that we see passing, recognizing God’s goodness in others or in circumstances. It tells the world, “God’s goodness passed through here. He did that!” Just as the remnants of wet pavement indicate a passing rainstorm, so should our attitudes and lives be the evidence of time spent in the presence of the Lord.
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:18
Personal Application: When our lives reflect Christ-like character and we give God the credit for our successes, we point others to the source of all life, now and eternal. Does your attitude and life produce the afterglow of God’s glory? Are your goals about bringing glory to yourself or to God?
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5