His Word Today

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.” (John 15:18-21)

Of the many truthful promises and statements Jesus made, and were recorded in all four gospels, the one’s contained in today’s text are certainly some of the most thought provoking. It should cause us to pause when evaluating our efforts to minister to those belonging to the fallen culture and their responses to the gospel.

There have been times when in seeking to do good for those in need, the responses by unbelievers to the church’s efforts are less than appreciative. I recall when several churches covenanted together to provide meals for families who had recently lost jobs due to a downturn in the economy. The meals were provided free of cost although a donation was graciously accepted if provided. Various people from several church volunteered to cook, serve and clean up after the dinners were served. One church even provided their fellowship hall for the weekly gathering.

Of those who were fed each week, there were some who became rude because they did not receive as much food as they wanted. These were not the previously mentioned families for they proved truly grateful. Rather, these were those who were regular church visitors looking for a handout. For example, they wanted seconds while others had yet to receive firsts and they became angry because their demands were not met. Unfortunately, this was a frequent occurrence and several workers became discouraged that their efforts to minister to those outside the church was met with less than a grateful attitude.

While these examples pale in comparison to the persecution of believers in various parts of the world, it provides a fitting illustration of what Jesus said in today’s text. Believers should expect hatred from the world rather than gratitude.

When Jesus referred to the world, He spoke of the fallen, ungodly world system of thought and behavior which expresses hatred for God and His servants. Jesus said that if, or since, the world hates believers, it is because the world ultimately hates Him.

Jesus wanted His followers to always remember that His servants were not above their Master. If the world hated Jesus, then remember that the world will hate us. If the world persecuted Jesus, then remember that the world will persecute us. Conversely, those who love Jesus will love, and be loved, by us.

The real reason that the world hates Jesus and His servants, is because at the core of their souls they do not know God. Pastor Burk Parsons writes, “The world cannot help but hate us, because those who are in rebellion against God hate everything that is not also in rebellion against Him. Jesus notes that we should not be surprised when the world hates us for following Him, for they hated Him first. If they hated Him and love us, then we would be greater than Him, but since the servants are not greater than the Master, the world’s hatred of Him guarantees it will hate us (John 15:20–21). We will be despised in many circles for keeping the commandments of Christ.”

This despising may occur at work, at home, at school or even in commentary by panelists on a daily, or late night, talk show. The despising of Christ and His followers is frequent, fervent and sometimes even furious.

John Calvin wrote that, “The gospel cannot be published without instantly driving the world to rage.”

Do you want the world to love you? Then belong to the world and its philosophy of life and living. Otherwise, expect opposition, hostility and hatred because you belong to Christ.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” (John 15:16-17)

Even though this blog is posted for December 29, I am writing it on Thursday, November 8. In case you forgot, Thursday, November 8 was two days after the 2018 mid-term elections for those running for the United States Senate, House of Representatives and various state governorship’s.

According the United States Constitution, citizens of the United States of America have a legal right and responsibility to vote for those who meet the constitutional requirements and qualifications to serve in government. More than a democracy, America is more accurately a representative republic. Those who serve in government are chosen by the will of the people and for the will of the people. In all of recorded history, America is truly a unique experiment.

However, as Americans and conscious humans who possess an intellect, have emotions and exercise a human will we tend to transfer these abilities from God as the rhyme and reason that we are children of God. Much like choosing our representatives in government, we tend to think that we independently and freely chose Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Lord. In today’s text, Jesus says otherwise.

Jesus said that He chose the eleven unto salvation. To choose, from the Greek word ἐκλέγομαι (eklegomai), means to select, call and to name. Jesus made it clear that the disciples did not choose Him but rather He chose them. What was true for the original disciples remains true today.

Jesus also stated that He appointed His disciples. To appoint (τίθημι; tithemi) means to assign, to give a task and to designate people to a particular responsibility. This task, based upon a prior choosing, is for disciples of Jesus Christ to bear fruit. It is also that each disciple will be so in tune with God’s will that their prayers will reflect this perspective and God will give them what they ask.

Dr. John MacArthur explains, “In case any pretense might exist among the disciples in terms of spiritual pride because of the privileges they enjoyed, Jesus made it clear that such privilege rested not in their own merit, but on his sovereign choice of them. God chose Israel (Isa. 45:4; Amos 3:2), but not for any merit (Deut. 7:7; 9:4–6). God elected angels to be forever holy (1 Tim. 5:21). He elected believers to salvation apart from any merit (Matt. 24:24, 31; see notes on Rom. 8:29–33; Eph. 1:3–6; Col. 3:12; Titus 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:2). One purpose of God’s sovereign election is that believers should produce spiritual fruit. The NT describes fruit as godly attitudes (Gal. 5:22–23), righteous behavior (Phil. 1:11), praise (Heb. 13:15), and especially leading others to faith in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God (Rom. 1:13–16).”

The doctrine of election is predominant in John’s Gospel. We have already witnessed and studied it in John 3, 6 and 10. However, we should also remember that while God chooses unto salvation, He subsequently commands us to exercise our redeemed human wills by loving one another.

John Calvin writes, “Men commonly imagine some kind of concurrence to take place between the grace of God and  the will of man; but that contrast, I chose you I was not chosen by you, claims exclusively for Christ alone what is usually divided between Christ and man; as if He had said that a man is not moved of his own accord to seek Christ until he has been sought by Him.” 

This conscious choice on our part is the obedient response by disciples of Jesus Christ resulting from the conscious choice on God’s part in making us His disciples of Jesus Christ in the first place.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13)

After previously referring to the commandments of God in general (John 15:9-11), Jesus now refers to one commandment in particular. The command is to love one another.

The phrase “one another” is frequently found in Scripture: particularly in the New Testament. It refers to the relationship believers have with each other. The word reciprocal, mutual, shared and communal are synonyms.

There are some 59 New Testament references using the phrase “one another” or “each other.” Some examples of the Bible’s teaching regarding the phrase “one another” including the following.

• “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love…” (Romans 12:10)
• “Live in harmony with one another…” (Romans 12:16)
• “…Serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)
• “…Be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)
• “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” (Ephesians 4:32)
• “…Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.” (Colossians 3:13)
• “Encourage one another daily…” Hebrews 3:13)

However, far and away the most frequent call by God is for believers to love one another.

• “…Love one another…” (John 13:34).
• “…Love one another…” (John 13:34).
• “…Love one another…” (John 13:35).
• “…Love one another…” (John 15:12).
• “…Love one another” (John 15:17)
• “…Love one another…” (Romans 13:8)
• “…Love each other.” (I Thessalonians 4:9)
• “…Love one another deeply, from the heart.” (I Peter 3:8)
• “…Love one another.” (I John 3:11).
• “…Love one another.” (I John 3:23).
•  “…Love one another.” (I John 4:7).
• “…Love one another.” (I John 4:11).
• “…Love one another.” (I John 4:12).
• “…Love one another.” (II John 5)

While the Apostles Peter and Paul both encourage believers to love one another, the most frequent usage of this particular phrase is found in the Gospel of, and the Epistles of, the Apostle John. He also is the only apostle to record our Lord directly invoking this phrase.

The self-sacrificial love of the will we are to demonstrate toward other believers is based upon a prior love by our Lord towards sinners who become believers by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

How may we love another? Oh my, there are so many ways our love for fellow believers may be demonstrated.

• Sharing a hug.
• Praying for a fellow believer’s needs.
• Visiting someone in the hospital.
• Raking leaves.
• Shoveling or snow blowing a driveway or sidewalk.
• Baking a loaf of banana nut bread for someone.
• Inviting a person over for coffee.
• Meeting them for coffee and paying the bill.
• Helping a single mother by paying for an oil change for her car.

This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but I hope it is a practical one which may spur your own thinking as to how you may love one another.

Soli deo Gloria!

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:9-11)

How may believers abide in the love of Christ and therefore by consequential logic, the love of God the Father? By obeying and keeping the commandments of God.

Believers remain and continue to exist in a continual love for Christ by obeying the command from God to obey the commandments of God. Jesus’ statement to “abide in my love” is in itself a commandment. To do so, we must obey the commandments of God found in the Word of God inspired by the Spirit of God.

The example which is set before us is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus kept the Father’s commandments and abided in His love. Jesus calls all believers in Christ to do the same.

The word for love which Jesus used is the Greek word ἀγαπάω (agapao). It is not a sentimental feeling but rather a self-sacrificial love of the will. This type of love for Christ, displayed by our obedience to the Word of God, is to be evidenced not on the basis of our feelings but often in spite of our feelings and emotions.

I recently met with a young couple at a Wendy’s Restaurant for the purpose of providing pre-marital counseling. During our meeting, the three of us examined the responsibilities of husbands and wives as outlined in Ephesians 5:22-33. I took particular pains to explain to the young man that his love for his fiancé, soon to be wife, was to be the same type of love Jesus displayed on the cross and which He spoke of in today’s text. A self-sacrificial love of the will and not a love based upon his emotions and feelings is the prescription for an enduring marriage: till death you do part.

Sadly, this is not the understanding many people have in their marriages or in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Too often our love for each other, and our love for Christ, is based upon an emotional or religious high acquired each weekend at a so-called worship service where the focus most often is upon the excitement of the worshipers and not upon the biblical object of worship: God and God alone. Too often we become enamored with the artificial fog of life and distracted by the laser light shows of living. Too often we want our worship services, and our Christian life, to resemble a U2 concert. There may be a lot of emotional excitement for the moment, but there is no lasting substance or foundation for godliness. The substance of a Christian’s life is obedience to the Word of God.

John Calvin explains that, “Christ does not reconcile believers to the Father, that they may indulge in wickedness without reserve, and without punishment; but that, governing them by his Spirit, he may keep them under the authority and dominion of his Father. Hence it follows, that the love of Christ is rejected by those who do not prove, by true obedience, that they are his disciples.”

As another commentator states, “In today’s passage, Christ is not talking about our justification—our being declared righteous in God’s sight—so keeping His commandments (John 15:9-11) does not mean sinless perfectionism. It means a sincere effort to obey Him, repentance when we sin, and a refusal to trust in our own merit for redemption (see 1 John).”

By obeying the commandments of God, we discover true and enduring joy. Joy is not a momentary happiness when life is going well, but rather a peace and contentment which endures the most difficult of times.

Prove your love for Christ today by being obedient to the commandments found in Scripture.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” (Luke 2:15-20)

We take time away from our study of the Gospel of John in order to remember the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. In light of our recent study of the glory of God and how believers ought to glorify Him, let’s turn in our Bibles to the familiar account of the heavenly angel’s announcement of the birth of the Christ to the shepherds abiding in the field. Today, we examine the immediate response by the shepherd’s upon hearing the good news of great joy, which shall be for all types of people that a Savior had been born in Bethlehem.

When the angels departed from the shepherds and went back in to heaven, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem and actually see what the angels had told them. They acknowledged that the message they had received was indeed from God.

The text continues by saying that they all went in a hurry to Bethlehem. We presume they took their sheep with them for not to do so would have been irresponsible and would have subjected the sheep to probable predators. How appropriate for the shepherds to search for the One who is the Good Shepherd, and to bring sheep to behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

The shepherds indeed did find Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus who was lying in a manger. Perhaps they searched every stable they could find before coming upon the correct one. Upon seeing this scene, they made known what the angel had told them. All who heard the news were in awe, amazement and wonder. We do not know if the “all” included other people besides Mary and Joseph. While the others wondered about everything that had happened, Mary kept these matters in her mind and presumably to herself.

When the shepherds returned to the fields to continue grazing their sheep, they were glorifying and praising God. Both words, glorifying and praising, are present active participles. The shepherds did not just praise and bless God for a moment but continually as they went back to the fields. The reason they were glorifying and praising God was because of all they had heard, seen and been told.

On this Christmas Day 2018, what can you recollect hearing, seeing and someone telling you which resulted in you glorifying and praising God? What memories, near and far, can you recall which prompted you to respond in such a way?

For me, it has been Christmas cantatas over the years that have contained some wonderful creative songs declaring the good news that Jesus Christ has been born. My favorite Christmas cantata continues to be Agnus Dei featuring the music of Michael W. Smith.

It has also been one particular Christmas message by Dr. R.C. Sproul entitled “Out of the Ivory Palaces,” which I listen to every year on my Ligonier App. His message begins with the words, “Don’t you love Christmas?”

It also has been the sound of laughter and excitement by young children, and those young at heart, upon receiving and giving a special Christmas gift.

It is seeing the first snowfall of the season and recalling Isaiah 1:18 which says, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

It is remembering the old traditions of annually going to my grandmother’s house each Christmas Day along with the rest of my extended, family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. What a wonderful time we had.

It is also establishing new traditions of friends visiting our home on Christmas Eve and enjoying a good meal and then playing board games until the wee small hours of the morning. Then, when the friends have gone home, it is watching the Christmas Carol featuring George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge before venturing off to bed.

All of these traditions, and many others, of sight and sound prompt me to glorify and praise God for all that I have heard and seen.

May the spirit of glorifying and praising the Lord be what fills your soul this Christmas Day, and the days which follow.

Merry Christmas and Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:8-14).

We take time away from our study of the Gospel of John for the next two days in order to remember the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. In light of our recent study of the glory of God and how believers ought to glorify Him, let’s turn in our Bibles to the familiar account of the heavenly angel’s announcement of the birth of the Christ to the shepherds abiding in the field.

“And in the same region” refers to the area near the City of Bethlehem where the events of Luke 1:1-7 occurred in which Mary gave birth to her first born son, wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, or feeding trough, because there was no room for her, the baby and her husband Joseph in the inn.

“There were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Shepherds were a despised class of people in the first century Israel mainly due to their inability to participate in regular worship activities within their communities because of their work. The shepherd’s closeness to Jerusalem indicates that the sheep they were protecting may well have been flocks raised for sacrifice at the temple. That it was night may indicate a warmer time of the year than traditionally perceived and thought of on Christmas Cards and in Christmas Carols.

“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.” While angelic appearances were common in the Old Testament (Genesis 18; Daniel 9:15-17), the shepherds were still filled with tremendous terror when one angel of the Lord appeared to them. Imagine the shepherds spending a quiet peaceful night when suddenly the surrounding darkness flees because the glory of the Lord shone around them. The word glory, in this instance, refers more to the physical brightness and splendor of the holiness of God (Isaiah 6:1-7).

“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’” The phrase “fear not,” was also common in Old Testament revelations of God (e.g., Josh 1:9; Judges 6:23; Jeremiah 1:8; Daniel 10:12; cf. Gen 15:1). The angel was not saying to the shepherds to no longer reverence God but rather to not be frightened and scared of God and His heavenly glory. The “good news” or “gospel” is one sourced in great joy and which will be for all types of people. What is this good news?

‘For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” The good news is as follows: (1) a Savior or deliverer has been born; (2) He is Christ the Lord; (3) He is wrapped in strips of cloth picturing not only the common practice for wrapping newborns but also for the recently deceased; and (4) He is lying in an animal’s feeding trough or manger.

Dr. R.C. Sproul explains that, “The sign will enable them (the shepherds) to find the baby and it will prove the truth of what the angel said. The stark contrast between His (Jesus’) humility and His exalted identity foreshadows the path of humiliation and suffering that awaits Him.”

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Without any warning or indication, the one angel is now accompanied by a throng of angels. These angels do what God created angels to do: to praise God and speak well of Him. Their specific words of praise parallel the character of the individual they are praising. They give glory, praise and honor to God because He is glorious, praiseworthy and honorable.

The peace or tranquility of which the angels spoke is for those who God is please to give such peace. God’s peace is a gracious gift upon those He is pleased to give it. It is the peace of being justified by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone (Romans 5:1).

The glory of God is not only for who He is but also for what He has done, is doing and will do. What was the response by the shepherds to this angelic announcement? What is ours?

Merry Christmas and Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:8).

How may God be glorified? What does it mean for God to be glorified? Today, we conclude our examination of the biblical doctrine of Soli deo Gloria or giving God all the praise and honor for who He is and what He has accomplished.

Jesus said to His disciples in the upper room, ““By this my Father is glorified.” The word glorified is from the Greek word δοξάζω (doxazo) from which we derive our English word doxology. Jesus posed a statement of certainty to His disciples. He stated that by them doing something, the Father would be glorified. What is it that disciples are to do in order to glorify God the Father?

Jesus said, “that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” If Jesus’ disciples bear spiritual fruit which is in keeping with the character of God and an evidence of obedience to the Word of God, God the Father will be glorified. Additionally, by bearing fruit and glorifying God, disciples of Jesus so prove that they are indeed Jesus’ disciples.

In concluding the second major section of the Epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul breaks forth into a climatic doxology of praise and glory to God. In Romans 11:33-36, the apostle writes: Oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

This outburst of praise is not only due to the apostle’s understanding of God’s plans for Israel (chaps. 9-11), but also for the entire scope of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone for all sorts of people (chaps. 1-11). Paul emphasizes several reasons why believers are to give God glory.

Believers are to give God glory because God is great. “Oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” God is extremely great in wisdom and knowledge. Supreme intelligence belongs to God alone. Humans are unable to truly understand all that God is, but can grasp the reality that His character as being so much greater than their own. Therein is reason to give Him glory.

Believers are to give God glory because God is unfathomable. In describing the infinite God the text says, “How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways.”  His decrees, as to commendation and condemnation, cannot be completely understood by finite man. What He does, why He does it, and how He does it cannot be completely comprehended.

To support this conclusion, Paul quotes from the Old Testament. He cites Isaiah 40:13; Job 15:8; 36:22-23; 35:7; and 41:11 as biblical evidence of God’s preeminence. We owe Him everything. God owes us nothing. Therein is reason to give Him glory.

Finally, believers are to give God glory because God is complete or perfect. Everything either comes from Him, on the basis of something He has done, and exists for Him. This includes the redeemed. Therein is reason to give Him glory.

How long is everything that exists to give God glory? The text reads, “To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” The opportunity to give praise, majesty, and exultation to God is for eternity. Why? Because He is worthy! Because He is God!

The following hymn, based on Romans 11:36, was written by Dr. James M. Boice shortly before his death in June of 2000. It is an appropriate conclusion to this all too brief treatment of God’s preeminent glory.

Give Praise to God

Give praise to God who reigns                                                                                                        for perfect knowledge, wisdom, love;                                                                                              His judgments are divine, devout,                                                                                                 His paths beyond all tracing out.

No one can counsel God all wise                                                                                                      or truths unveil to His sharp eyes;                                                                                                  He marks our paths behind, before;                                                                                                  He is our steadfast Counselor.

Nothing exists that God might need                                                                                              for all things good from Him proceed.                                                                                         We praise Him as our Lord, and yet,                                                                                             we never place God in our debt.

Creation, life, salvation too,                                                                                                           and all things else both good and true,                                                                                    Come from and through our God always,                                                                                  and fill our hearts with grateful praise.

Come, lift your voice to heaven’s high throne, and glory give to God alone!

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:8).

How may God be glorified? What does it mean for God to be glorified? Today, we continue our examination of the biblical doctrine of Soli deo Gloria or giving God all the praise and honor for who He is and what He has accomplished. Is giving God glory only through the act of singing and praising Him with music? Or does giving God glory involve much more?

How may the believer in Christ glorify God in light of all that the Scriptures teach concerning God’s glory? There are a variety of ways in which this may happen. The following examples are but a sampling from God’s Word.

The believer glorifies God through humble service. Secondly, the believer also glorifies God by not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thirdly, believers glorify God by being grateful to God for all of the blessings He has given. In Luke 17:11-18, Luke recounts the occasion when Jesus passed through the areas of Samaria and Galilee on His way to Jerusalem. Upon entering a certain village, Jesus met ten men who were lepers. As was the expected behavior of those diseased with this malady, they stood away from other unaffected people.

All ten men cried out to Jesus for Him to heal them. In fact the text says, “they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us’.” Jesus told them to show themselves to the priest in order to be declared clean as keeping with Old Testament law (Leviticus 13:1-3; 14:2-32). As these ten men journeyed to the priests, they were cleansed of the disease.

However, only one of the ten returned to Jesus “and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan” (NASB 1516). Jesus asked where the other nine were. He remarked that the only one who returned to give God glory was a foreigner. This would imply that the other nine were Jews.

We often in our prayers ask God for many things such as healing, prosperity, wisdom, and deliverance. Yet, when these prayers are answered by God in the way we wanted, do we return to God and give Him glory? What about when our prayers are not answered in the way we want? What then? Do we give God glory even in the pain? Our level of gratitude in life’s situations speaks volumes concerning whether we truly desire to give God glory.

Fourthly, believers give God glory by not seeking their own way. Humans are born selfish and self-centered and God’s salvation does not immediately eradicate this tendency to want what we want when we want it. The Christian must continually battle this conflict between the Spirit and the flesh (Galatians 5:16-23). Success in this endeavor, through God’s assistance (Philippians 2:13) results in the believer giving God glory.

Fifthly, believers glorify God by renouncing and rejecting anything that would set itself up as equal to, or greater than, God.  Idolatry was a continual problem for Israel throughout its history. The same could be said for the church. In fact, the world continues to seek for that object or philosophy to take God’s place (Romans 1:23). However, God calls the believer to fulfill the greatest commandment He has given. Believers are to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:28-34). As they do so consistently, they give God glory.

Sixthly, believers glorify God by living righteously. The Apostle Paul explained in Romans 6:4 that believers are to identify themselves with Jesus Christ in all areas of life. Due to the fact that Christ has raised us up from spiritual death, we are to live in a way that evidences this new life in Christ. This is the predominant theme throughout the epistle of I John.

Philippians 1:11 indicates that believers are to be filled with the fruits of righteousness. This righteousness is through Jesus Christ alone and results in glory and praise to God.

I Thessalonians 2:12 explains that Christians are to live in a manner worthy of God’s call unto salvation. The reason for this is because God has brought believers into His kingdom and glory.

Peter stated in his second epistle that believers are to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).

Finally, one of the most significant ways believers glorify God is in trials. The conundrum to this subject is that believers do not always associate trials with an opportunity to bring God glory. Many believers assume trials are something to be avoided at best, and painfully endured until they are over at worst. However, the Scriptures teach that one of the most profound ways believers may glorify God is when they are in the crucible of conflict.

In Romans 5:1-3, the Apostle Paul writes, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope.”

To “exult” means to glory; from the Greek καυχάομαι / kauchaomai. The believer glories in tribulations presently and personally. The verb form refers to boasting or rejoicing, with or without reason, because of trouble.

Within the context, tribulations (θλῖψις / thlipsis) refer to the pressing and squeezing of olives or grapes in a press. However, Paul is speaking of the normal pressures of living and the inevitable troubles that characterize life in this world for the disciples of Jesus (Matthew 5:10-12; John 15:20; 2 Corinthians 4:17; I Thessalonians 3:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:12; I Peter 4:19).

Paul reiterates this perspective in Romans 8:18. He explains, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Peter contributes to this concept of glorifying God in the midst of trials. In I Peter 1:7 he writes, “that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” (NASB 1909). See also I Peter 2:20; 4:13-14; 5:1, 10.

What then is the chief end of man? Clearly, it is to give God glory.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:8).

Today, we continue our examination of the biblical doctrine of Soli deo Gloria or giving God all the praise and honor for who He is and what He has accomplished. Is giving God glory only through the act of singing and praising Him with music? Or does giving God glory involve much more?

How may the believer glorify God in light of all that the Scriptures teach concerning God’s glory? There are a variety of ways in which this may happen. The following examples are but a sampling from God’s Word.

The believer glorifies God through humble service. The attitude, and consequential action, by the believer in serving God is to do it humbly. Humility is a demeanor of modesty, meekness, and respect towards God and other people. The believer is humble in serving God by placing all the attention, credit, and praise for that service to God and not towards himself. More than just a few perfunctory words in order to appear humble, the genuinely humble person of God continually gives all the glory to God for any accomplishment. This applies to not only that in full time ministry, but also those in volunteer ministry.

In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus taught that those belonging to God’s kingdom should not do their good works for the purpose of receiving praise and attention from other people. Rather, individuals seeking to glorify God should do their good works in secret. The consequence of such behavior done in this way is that God dispenses praise to the believer for their service as the believer has given God all the glory for that service.

The Apostle Paul communicated this concept of glorifying God, through humble service, in numerous epistles (2 Corinthians 10:17; 11:30; 12:1-9; Galatians 5:26; 6:14; Philippians 2:1-13; I Thessalonians 2:6; 2 Timothy 2:10). For Paul, the attitude of humility was a predominant theme.

This perspective was also important for the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews. He states, “Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

In I Peter 4:10-11, Peter states, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (NASB 1916).

In I Peter 5:1-5, the apostle commended the elders to humbly serve God by not lording over the flock of God, but rather by being examples to those of which God made them spiritual overseers. The eternal reward of such service is a crown of glory.

Secondly, the believer also glorifies God by not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Mark 8:38 that, “whoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (NASB 1445).

The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 9:16, “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast (glory) of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.” Paul did not preach from human pride but rather by divine compulsion. The purpose of which was to give God the glory.

The gospel of Jesus Christ can never be a negotiable message. While many have attempted to apostate this central truth (see the Epistle of Jude), the true believer will never apostatize or be ashamed of the only means necessary whereby sinners can be redeemed and forgiven of their sins.

Soli deo Gloria!