Jesus Revealed, Jesus Glorified!
Paul, in 1 corinthians:10:31, encourages us to do all things for the glory of God.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” -1 Corinthians 10:31
The glory of God is to be manifested through us in all things, at all times. But how is it possible?
Let’s ponder on what the word of God teaches us.
1. Manifesting God’s glory is possible when we realize that we’ve been bought by the blood of Jesus, redeemed as His own. Therefore, we are now called to live for Him and not for ourselves.
“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”- 2 Corinthians 5:15
We no longer should live to fulfill our desires but Christ’s. Our work should be doing God’s work. Our joy- His joy. That we also, like Jesus, would say that our work is to finish our Father’s work.
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. -John 4:34
2) Like Paul, we also need to remember that Christ is our master and we are His servants. Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, called to show forth His glory and goodness to all people.
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” -2 Corinthians 5: 20
An ambassador, we know, is a representative of the country he belongs to and seeks to establish the rules and morals of his home country, in his delegated colony.
Similarly, we as representatives of God, are summoned to establish His kingdom morals on earth- God’s colony that He has given to men; and show forth the goodness- glory of God.
The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to mankind. (Psalm 115:16)
3. Jesus, through His life of humility and submission to God, demonstrated how to live a life that glorifies God. In all that He did, the goodness of God was revealed. He was the express image of the Father.
“But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” -Hebrews 1: 2-3
4. Jesus, always submitted His will to the Father’s. He only spoke what the Father wanted Him to speak and nothing spake or did He of Himself. In that He displayed complete denial of self and total surrender to God.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” -Luke 22: 42
So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me”. -John 8: 28
The Father has given us the Holy Spirit of God we know, who guides us to live like Jesus. We have no excuse to be egotistical. It is dangerous to serve our own selves or to reduce God to serve us- to keep us happy and problem free. Do we not conform with His death and resurrection through baptism? Now, after being dead to ourselves through the death of Jesus and alive unto God through His resurrection, it is idolatry to serve our self- which is rendered dead and buried.
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”-Romans 6: 3-4
5. We need to decrease that Christ might increase in our lives.
“He must become greater; I must become less.” -John 3:30
A life that glorifies God is a path of constant self denial. It’s about walking in the narrow way diligently. It’s a life all about Jesus. Where we allow God to constantly search our hearts and scrutinize us, to help us walk according to His will.
The more we decrease, our worry decreases. Our self and pride that always seeks to have control gives way to the Lordship of Jesus over us. Then, we can truly enjoy peace and rest.
The question that we need to ask ourselves before every task, every word, every thought is, “ Will Christ be glorified through this? Will His nature be revealed through this?”.
Sometimes, speaking the right words in the right situation brings glory to God. Sometimes, God is glorified through our silence; when we choose to bridle our tongue. We need to be sensitive to God’s guidance and instructions, to live a life according to His will.
That we might also, like Jesus, say that we have glorified the Father in our lives.
“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” -John 14: 4
It is more blessed to live to glorify His name.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Evelyn is a young medical practitioner, in India, who loves to study God’s word and takes joy in teaching others. Enjoys arts & crafts, coffee and time with loved ones.