THAT GOD IN ALL THINGS MAY BE GLORIFIED
By John C. Carpenter
To the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia,
Asia, and Bithynia, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:1) wrote, Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh,
arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should
live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to
have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable
idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give
account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead,
that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at
hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall
cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister
the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if
any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 4:1-11). What is the purpose of mankind: to glorify God in all things?
WHAT
IS GLORY?
In verse 11 of our subject verses, the word glorified is translated from the Greek word doxazo, which means to render
or esteem glorious, make glorious, to esteem as full of glory, to magnify, dignity, honor, praise, to worship, or to account or consider
to be glorious. In Unger's Bible Dictionary, glory is defined as “the exercise and display of what constitutes the distinctive excellence
of the subject of which it is spoken. Thus, in respect to God, His glory is the manifestation of His divine attributes and perfections,
or such a visible effulgence as indicates the possession and presence of these. The correlative of His holiness... is that in which
His holiness comes to expression. Glory is the expression of holiness, as beauty is the expression of health.” Websters New Collegiate
Dictionary defines glory as “praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent.” In his textbook, Systematic Theology, Wayne
Grudem defines glory “as honor, or excellent reputation.” In summarizing, glory can be thought of as the exercise or display of intrinsic
distinction, excellence, or holiness, while glorify can be thought of as to esteem, magnify, honor, praise, or worship a subject which,
due to its own excellence and magnificence, is deserving of such consideration, reputation, and honor. In the simplest of terms, to
glorify God means to recognize God as God, and consider Him accordingly.
WHAT THE SCRIPTURES SAY ABOUT GLORY?
The holy scriptures
tell us much about glory in general, including the glory of God. As we can see in the scriptures, many things in life are described
as having their own form of glory, or being glorious.
For example, the world and its kingdoms have their own forms of glory.
During the temptation of Christ, the devil took Christ up into as exceeding high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the
world, and the glory of them (Mat 4:8), and saith unto him, All these things [glorious kingdoms of the world] will I give thee, if
thou wilt fall down and worship me (Mat 4:9). Men and women desire to have glory. Jesus taught, Take heed that ye do not your alms
before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms,
do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily
I say unto you, They have their reward (Mat 6: 1-2). Paul tells us that ...many glory after the flesh... (2 Cor 11:18). Jesus explained
to some Jews that those who speak of themselves, including ministers, are interested only in themselves and seek their own glory:He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he [the individual] that seeketh his [God's] glory that sent him [Christ],
the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him (John 7:18).
According to Christ, Solomon was considered to have glory, but
apparently not as much glory as that found in the lilies of the field (Mat 6:28-29). In this life, no man has ever been able to reach
the level of God's glory, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). Despite his desire for his own glory,
man is sinful and insignificant. Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away (Psa 144:4). Yet, even the believer
in Christ seeks to eventually have some of God's glory: to them [believers in Christ] who by patient continuance in well doing seek
for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness,
indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile (Rom 2:7-:10).
Additionally,
there are those who actually consider their looks to be glorious: For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion
to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart (2 Cor 5:12). According
to the apostle Paul, the face of Christ reflects the glory of God (2 Cor 4:6). God the Father's grace is also considered full of glory.
Paul wrote, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved (Eph 1:6), but also referred
to the abundant grace of God in his second letter to the Corinthian church (2 Cor 4:15). The apostle Paul not only sought future glory,
but found glory in his own personal tribulations and sufferings (Rom 5:2-3).
In their own respective ways, the ministration of
the Mosaic law and the ministration of the law of righteousness are both considered glorious. Paul explained to the believers in Corinth:...if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly
behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the
spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed
in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth (2 Cor 3:7-10).
God
the Father is glorious. He is described in the scriptures as the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever (Mat 6:13). Stephen
instructs us that the God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran (Act 7:2),
but at his martyrdom, Stephen, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus
standing on the right hand of God (Act 7:55). Christ prayed to His heavenly Father, I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished
the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before
the world was (John 17:4-5).
The nation of Israel reflects the Glory of God. At the sight of the baby Jesus, an old man named
Simeon reflected on the glory of Jesus Christ when he said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart [die] in peace, according to
thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation [Christ], Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten
the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel (Luke 2:29-32). Referring to Israel, Isaiah refers to Zion, or Israel, as trees of
righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified (Isa 61:3). Isaiah also refers to the glory of Israel when he
prophesied, But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed
thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine (Isa 43:1), and later adds, Even every one that is called by my name: for I have
created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him (Isa 43:7). Clearly, Israel and the Jewish race were created for
God's glory.
The miraculous power of Christ manifested His glory, as well as that of the Father. During the wedding at Cana of
Galilee, when Christ performed His first miracle by turning water into wine, the scriptures instruct us, This beginning of miracles
did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him (John 2:11). The miracles of Jesus
Christ testified to and reflected His glory. Believers in Christ are raised up by the Glory of the Father (Rom 6:4), Israel was created
for the Glory of God (Rom 9:4), and the promises of God glorify God (2 Cor 1:30). Sometimes, even our infirmities allow God to manifest
His glory. When Jesus's friend Lazarus was sick, Christ told Mary, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, thatthe Son of God might be glorified thereby (John 11:4). After Lazarus had died, and just before Christ raised Lazarus from the dead,
Christ told Martha Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? (John 11:40).
The
manifestion of Jesus Christ also was designed to bring glory to God the Father. As Paul taught, Now to him that is of power to stablish
you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery [of Christ], which was kept
secret since the world began, But now [the mystery of Christ] is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to
the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus
Christ for ever (Rom 16:25-27). The apostle John adds, the [gospel] Word [of salvation] was made flesh [Christ], and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and
cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me (John 1:14-15).
Even
the calling of the believer in Christ, as well as God's use of foolish things, are both intended to glorify God the Father: For ye
see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath
chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things
which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to
bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence (1 Cor 1:26-29). Within God's economy, even momentary
temporal affliction results in everlasting eternal glory: For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through
the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward
man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight
of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are
temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Cor 4:15-18).
GOD WANTS, AND DESERVES, TO BE GLORIFIED
Without
a doubt, God the Father wants, and deserves, to be glorified by all of creation, including mankind. Paul wrote the believers in Rome,O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
For who hath known [fully understood] the mind [knowledge, understanding] of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath
first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be
glory for ever (Rom 11:33-36). John instructs us, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created
all things, and for thy pleasure [choice, determination, desire, will] they are and were created (Rev 4:11).
Clearly, The heavens [sky,
areas where the celestial bodies exist and move] declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork (Psa 19:1). Paul
tells us, For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones,
or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all
things consist (Col 1:16-17).
We should also recognize that God the Father is highly and powerfully protective of His glory,
and will not allow us to serve other gods He says, Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them [nor glorify them]: for
I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of
them that hate me (Exo 20:5). Through the prophet Isaiah, God the Father clarifies, I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will
I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images (Isa 42:8). If we truly know God, we can honestly say, Thou art worthy,
O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Rev
4:11).
THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT GIVING GOD GLORY
God the Father expects man to glorify Him, and when man does not, God is
not only disappointed, but angered. The story of Christ healing ten lepers reflects Gods disappointment when men are unthankful and
fail to give God the glory He deserves: And it came to pass, as he [Christ] went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of
Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they
lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto
the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned
back, and with a loud voice glorified God. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus
answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found [but this one] that returned to give glory
to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him [the one leper who was healed], Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole(Luke 17:11-19). When mankind refuses to glorify God, to think of God as the one and only God, there are always consequences, the
consequences of suffering and death.
When we refuse to honor and glorify God, as He deserves, God sometimes reacts violently,
and may destroy us instantly. This may seem unreasonable, but it is certainly biblical. After the apostle Peter was imprisoned by
Herod (Acts 12:5), God, using an angel, supernaturally delivered Peter from his guards and prison cell (Acts 12:7-11). King Herod
became very angry at the jailers because Peter had escaped. The scriptures then tell us, Now as soon as it was day, there was no small
stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him [Peter], and found him not, he examined the keepers,
and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode. And Herod was highly displeased
with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired
peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his
throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately
the angel of the Lord smote him [Herod], because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost (Act
12:18-23). Because Herod allowed the people to glorify him, rather that giving God glory, Herod paid the ultimate price for his rebellion
against the glory of God.
Another consequence of refusing to recognize and glorify God the Father is that He may allow us to
be immersed in and controlled by our own sins, resulting in temporal, and eternal, suffering and destruction. The apostle Paul explained
this idea to believers in Rome when he wrote that their vile affections of homosexuality were the result of their refusal to acknowledge
and glorify God the Father. The apostle wrote, For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness
of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it
unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are
made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not
as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves
to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds,
and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up [put in prison or bondage] to uncleanness [impurity, moral
lewdness, foul, demonic] through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the
truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. For this cause God
gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature (Rom 1:18-26).
Refusing to acknowledge and honor and glorify God as God will carry consequences, and unpleasant consequences at that.
THE PRIMARY
PURPOSE OF MAN IS TO GLORIFY GOD
What is the purpose of all of creation, including earth and mankind, of which we humans are
only a minute portion? I suspect that we, all of us ask this question from time to time in our own lives, and if we haven't yet, we
eventually will. The scriptures make it abundantly clear that the entirety of creation, including mankind, was and is designed by
God simply to glorify God the Father. God's glory is reflected in all things, from the smallest molecule to the multitudes of massive
galaxies. If we seriously examine our lives, we must come to the conclusion that there is no other worthwhile and meaningful purpose
for us in life, but to respond to, obey, worship, and glorify God.
The prophet Isaiah knew why mankind was created. Isaiah prophesied
to us all, I [God] have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him (Isa 43:7). Before we can truly glorify
God, we must recognize that God is special. As our heavenly Father says, through Isaiah, ...I am God, and there is none else; I am
God, and there is none like me (Isa 46:9). In his wisdom, Solomon instructs us regarding what he is convinced is the whole duty of
man: Let us hear the conclusion [end, termination] of the whole matter: Fear [and glorify] God, and keep his commandments: for this
is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it
be evil (Ecc 12:13-14).
HOW DO WE GLORIFY GOD?
When we seriously examine life, we will find, if we are honest with ourselves,
that the only truly worthwhile and lasting thing in life is to know and glorify God. We realize that our family, our job, our friends,
education, success, beauty, wealth, even our very lives, are important to us, but really have no significant purpose and actually,
from a spiritual viewpoint, lead nowhere. They are a vanity. The only real, satisfying, and lasting significance of life is to glorify
God. As Solomon complained, I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this
sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and,
behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit (Ecc 1:13-14). Most of us know that life is vain and that we should glorify Him, but
we have to ask, how do we go about glorifying God? How do we act, what do we do or not do to glorify God the Father. What behaviors
should be apparent in us if we want to glorify God? Well, the scriptures tell us what to do. Although there are many ways to glorify
God the Father, for the purposes of brevity, we shall examine only a few important ways to glorify Him.
First of all, the psalmist
instructs us that one way to glorify God is through our joy, gladness, singing, thanksgiving, and praise of Him: Make a joyful noise unto
the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is
he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his
truth endureth to all generations (Psa 100:1-5). We also glorify God by knowing, serving, and working for Him. Samuel tells us, Only
fear [fear, be frightened of, reverence, and glorify] the LORD, and serve [to work for as a dedicated slave] him in truth with all
your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you (1 Sam 12:24).
Through the completion of His calling, serving,
and work, Christ glorified God the Father: And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work [act, deed, labor, toil] which thou gavest me to
do (John 17:4). Christ glorified God the Father by finishing God's offer of salvation through grace. We also glorify God by minimizing,
even denying ourselves, as Christ did, and only seeking that which glorifies God the Father: He that speaketh of himself seeketh his
own glory: but he that seeketh his [God the Father's] glory that sent him [Christ], the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in
him (John 7:18).
We can also glorify God by revealing Christ in us to others. Christ, Himself, instructs us, Ye are the light
of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick;
and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify
your Father which is in heaven (Mat 5:14-16). We glorify God when we understand and apply the idea that there is no salvation from
God's wrath except through faith in Christ: This [Christ] is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the
head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we
must be saved (Act 4:11-12). The apostle Peter echoes this idea when he says, ...Lord, to whom [or where] shall we go? thou hast the
words of eternal life (John 6:68). Eternal life is available in only one place, that is, Christ. We also glorify God when we pursue
to live a righteous life, a life pleasing unto God the Father. Paul instructs us, For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free
from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now
being made free from sin, and become servants to God, [ye not only glorify God but], ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end
everlasting life (Rom 6:20-22). Paul wrote believers in the Philippian church about the relationship between righteousness and glory: this
I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent;
that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus
Christ, unto the glory and praise of God (Php 1:9-11).
God is glorified when believers in Christ receive, help, and love one
another, as Christ received and loved us. Paul wrote believers in Rome, Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded
one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God (Rom 15:5-7). When we, as good stewards,
humbly and properly use the gifts of grace given to us by God, we glorify and honor God. Peter explained: As every man hath received
the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak
as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through
Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever (1 Peter 4:10-11).
When we have faith in God, that is, when we
absolutely believe that what God says shall come to pass, we give glory to God. For example, Abraham staggered not at the promise
of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was
able also to perform (Rom 4:20-21).
And lastly, when we, as believers in Christ, attribute to the grace of God our strength,
persistence, and overcoming regarding the sufferings that result from our trials and tribulations, we thereby glorify God. As Paul
wrote the church in Corinth, For all things [including our sufferings] are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the
thanksgiving of many redound [superabound, be to excess] to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward
man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things [which involve affliction and] which are seen, but at the things [which
involve glory and] which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal [and
far more exceedingly glorify God] (2 Cor 4:15-18).
BELIEVERS IN CHRIST ARE CALLED TO SHARE GOD'S GLORY
God the Father certainly
deserves our praising, honoring, and glorifying Him; and because we do, we will eventually share in God's eternal glory, as well.
To his dear, beloved, spiritual son, the apostle Paul wrote, I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain
the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory (2 Tim 2:10). In the book of Hebrews, we find that the author also refers
to our waiting glory, writing, we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with
glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by
whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both
he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren (Heb 2:9-11).
Through His calling and ministry, Christ will eventually bring many spiritual sons and daughter to also partake of the glory of His
Father in heaven.
According to God's will, believers in Christ have been given a calling, a calling to receive eternal life and
partake in the Father's glory. Look what Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote to them that have obtained like precious
faith [and therefore including all believers in Christ] through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace
be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things
that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:2-3).
MAN
IS NOT TO GLORY IN HIMSELF, BUT IN GOD ONLY
Man will one day share in God the Father's glory. But until that time arrives, we
must accept the fact that the scriptures strictly prohibit man from glorying in himself; we are to glory in God only. Here are a few
examples from the scriptures. The apostle Paul wrote the Corinthian believers, Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth
to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it
is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours (1 Cor 3:18-21). Paul, speaking of himself, said, For though I preach
the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel (1 Co 9:16).
Because members of the church in Corinth were committing sin, and were puffed up in refusing to address their sin, Paul chastened
them, writing, Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven [stubbornness,
pride, rebellion] , that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened [willing to repent]. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed
for us (1 Cor 5:6-7). Regarding glorification of himself, Paul said, It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory (2 Cor12:1), and...of myself I will not glory, but [glory only] in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory [about myself], I shall not
be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that
he heareth of me (2 Cor 12:5-6).
Man is to glory in God only. Knowing the importance of glorifying God only, the apostle Paul
said, I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak
of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed (Rom 15:17-18), as well
as, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord (1 Cor 1:31). Paul teaches us, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye
do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31), and in his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul exhorted them, he that glorieth,let him glory [only] in the Lord (2 Cor 10:17). Paul instructed the church of believers in Galatia, Let us not be desirous of vain
glory, provoking one another, envying one another (Gal 5:26), then added, God forbid that I should glory [in myself], save [except
only] in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world (Gal 6:14).
As the
scriptures instruct us, Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings (Psa 9:11), and to clap
your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph (Psa 47:1). The psalmist also exhorts us to Come and see the works
of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men. He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot:
there did we rejoice in him. He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves.O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet
to be moved. For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried (Psa 66:5-10); O praise the LORD, all ye nations:
praise him, all ye people (Psa 117:1).
We should, with a full heart, give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known
his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let
the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD (Psa 105:1-3). We must believe and confess, Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God,
thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty (Psa 104:1). As John prophesied, Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and
thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever (Rev 7:12). Our thoughts regarding the glory of
God might be summed up with these words: Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his
glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly [vehemently and utterly deserves] to be
praised: he is to be feared above all gods (Psa 96:2-4). Our purpose in life is to live so that God, in all things, may be glorified. AMEN.