The glory of God is the display of His infinite grandeur and vast greatness.
 |
| dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com |
It can be argued that the work of the Westminster Divines, in the 1600’s, remains one of the best introductions to the key doctrines of the Christian faith. At my bookcase the other day, I picked up a copy of The Westminster Shorter Catechism. Comprised of 107 questions and answers – all ‘agreeable’ to the word of God i.e. each question’s response is supported, most comprehensively, by Scripture. Although an old publication and cast aside by many modern day Christians it does, however, provide a helpful summary and answers clearly what Christians believe. Yes, the language may be considered ‘old’ and redundant by some, but I challenge any bible believing Christian today to fundamentally disagree with its questions but more importantly its responses.
The Shorter Catechism commences with the question: ‘What is the chief end of man?’ Re-phrased into modern English by Kelly & Rollinson (1990), they ask ‘What is man’s primary purpose?’
What would your answer be? This pre-eminent question, with its response, may find you shouting an immediate response or a more thoughtful, considered reply. The Westminster Divines answer was emphatic: ‘Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever’. This caused me to pause and meditate on glorifying God and how we glorify God and enjoy him forever and to think about God’s glory? What a wonderful thought, but also challenging!
In his book ‘Show Me Your Glory (2020) Steven Lawson, says: ‘As related to God, the word glory represents the infinite weightiness of who He is. The glory of God reflects the sum and substance of His holy character. It encompasses His divine perfections, attributes and essence. It includes His holiness, sovereignty, righteousness, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, truth, grace, mercy, goodness, love, and wrath. It is the goodness of God. In short, the glory of God is the display of His infinite grandeur and vast greatness.'
God’s glory exists prior to and apart from any manifestation of it – as Jesus prayed in John 17:5 ‘And now Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.’ (ESV) We do not add to His glory, we merely recognise it and acknowledge it.
We glorify God: in our heart, thoughts, speech, and behaviour. I would, however, suggest that it begins with our heart and having the correct motives in seeking to continually honour and exalt Him. We do this by loving, desiring, fearing, believing and trusting, grieving for our sins and delighting and rejoicing in Him. It must be all for His glory and honour and not our own. Of course only a regenerate heart (person) can do this.
Steven Lawson simply says that to glorify God, ‘you just follow Christ. You do what Christ would do. You feel what Christ would feel. You see what Christ would see. You believe what Christ said. That is how to glorify God.’ (Verbal response to questions asked at Ligonier event 2003). These are certainly challenging words for us all.
As Christians we engage, either individually or corporately, in many and diverse activities – but all should be honouring and bring glory to God. We have been created (Isaiah 43:7) for His glory. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 10:31 instructs us to ‘do everything for the glory of God’. To the best of our ability and in doing so, we acknowledge Him for who He is; the author, creator and sustainer of everything. He is the King of glory. This unquestionably brings Him pleasure and great joy to us.
 |
| pinterest.co.uk |
We can glorify God in many ways: by prayer, praise, dance, song. By being obedient to His word and not compromising when man’s secular worldview insists that Christians do so. How easy it can be for Christians to be seduced by what is dangled, by the world, in front of them?
A standard and universal activity is the gathering together on Sundays. Practised by (most) Christians, this day of the week, chosen because it was the day Jesus rose from the dead and now the first day of the week marks a special coming together. But for what purpose? If one was to undertake a straw poll of the reasons why Christians do this, no doubt, it would generate a variety of responses - a simple one is the enjoyment and fellowship of being with God’s people. This is certainly an excellent and important reason for Christians meeting together.
God’s word also instructs us to ‘...consider how to stir up one another to love and good works; not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some’ (Hebrews 10:24-25a ESV). Again this is an obedient and noble reason for meeting together. However, if affirming what the Divines state, can we say that our chief motive is, to glorify God, in everything we do? That the whole of our corporate worship time is to glorify and honour Him?
Perhaps it is easier to say yes to this when everything is going well with us; nevertheless, I acknowledge that this sometimes can be hard, especially if we are experiencing difficult and painful periods in our life. However, God understands all our feelings, our happy ones and perhaps most importantly our sad and sorrowful ones. He sees our heart state and therefore we can pour out our true feelings to Him and in doing so can still give glory to Him. How often do we read the most incredible testimonies of Christians in persecuted lands and the example they set, sometimes unto death, in giving glory to God for their situation?
In the Old Testament period, specific experiences of God’s glory were given to individuals and to Israel (Exodus 33:18-23; 1 Kings 8; 10-11; Isaiah 6-1-7) but the supreme revelation of the glory of God is in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ; ‘And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth’. (John 1:14, ESV)
Definitely in writing, and perhaps in reading, this has been a particularly challenging blog. To contemplate what the Westminster Divines stated nearly 400 years ago. I, and maybe we, fall short in so many ways and at so many times – to glorify God in everything, however, I take comfort in knowing that ‘...we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin...’. (Hebrews 4:14-15).
‘For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen’ (Romans 11: 36, ESV).
Author: Irene Cherrill
May God bless and enrich your life
Please feel free to share this article and other articles on this site with friends, family and others.
No comments:
Post a Comment