I've struggled with this word... in the movie 300, Glory was defending your country from an invasion even if it meant death. But if you die, is there truly glory? You may be celebrated, but for how long? We've also seen that glory could be applied to an artist painting "glorious painting". I don't think glorify is a religious word at all. It's something we all do, every day we glorify something; people, creation, materials, success. The problem is, nothing lasts... True Glory has to be an everlasting thing. It has to withstand the test of time. But what can withstand that test? So maybe the question is what do WE GLORIFY? AND WHY?
Let others see God in you. Spread His love. Touch other's hearts in the way God would so that when people see your actions, they can't help but acknowledge that your motivation comes from above. Then they will ask how you love with such compassion, with such passion, and you tell them that by knowing God's love for you, you are able to translate that love to others.
This is how I glorify God. I am a firm believer in God's love and its power. To me, love is important and I look to God's love in times when I am down. It brings me up when I am in doubt. His love for me is so extravagant that I can't help but want to share it.
It's true that from a 3rd person perspective it looks like I am loving because I want love in return or because I'm pursuing someone or because I can feel better about myself, etc. However, if the intention is first and foremost God, if I honestly and passionately wish for others to know God, then my actions can not be labeled selfish. No matter what form of glorifying God that you choose, if you have the true and humble intention, then what you are doing is not for your own glory but for God.
Say that I look to someone giving love to another and I see him smiling and feeling good afterwards. Then I can easily say, "wow, what a self-righteous person. He thinks that because he is spreading love, he is spreading God's love. But I can see through all that. I think he's just trying to earn other people's respect/love/attention." What I just described here is judgmental behavior. You can't assume that it looks like they are glorifying themselves. Unless you find out their true intention, you can't make any judgment call. Actually, I don't even think it's in anyone's favor to judge anyone else. So don't think this action or that action is selfish. Doing something selfish means that they first had a selfish motive, but if their motive is for God's glory, then of course, they are doing it to glorify God.
Let me give you another example just in case. Say that a person says his method of glorifying God is by being a pastor at a church. So he's preaching the word to his congregation and so on. However, if his true intentions are his popularity and some messed up "I am a leader of ___ many people" authority complex, then of course, we can label his method of glorifying God as actually glorifying himself. He does not have God as first in his mind and heart. Let's take this example further. Say this pastor was found out. The congregation would feel betrayed and some people may even lose their faith. This is exactly the opposite of bringing glory to God.
So in essence, glorifying God is bringing someone to know God. It's as simple as that. It even says in the Bible that when just one soul is saved, Heaven rejoices (LUKE 15:7 & 10). I'm pretty sure that when even one person we affect comes to know Christ and is saved, that is more than enough glory that God wants from us. How you choose to affect people into coming into the light of Christ is up to you. As I said, for me, I hope that in spite of my human limitations, I can one day do my best to express God's love to the point where I spark the curiosity that inspires someone to acknowledge God and become saved.
Of course, since I am human and sinful, almost every attempt is tainted and more often than not, I fail in my attempts in the end. But if I trust in God, I'm sure that with his infinite wisdom and love, it will work out in the end. Just have to be the best I can be.
"God gave me the serenity to accept the things that I can't change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference between the two."
"I am too positive to be doubtful. Too optimistic to be fearful. And too determined to be defeated."
"You never know how strong you are...until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny."
I've struggled with this word... in the movie 300, Glory was defending your country from an invasion even if it meant death. But if you die, is there truly glory? You may be celebrated, but for how long? We've also seen that glory could be applied to an artist painting "glorious painting". I don't think glorify is a religious word at all. It's something we all do, every day we glorify something; people, creation, materials, success. The problem is, nothing lasts... True Glory has to be an everlasting thing. It has to withstand the test of time. But what can withstand that test? So maybe the question is what do WE GLORIFY? AND WHY?
ReplyDeletebut how do you glorify?
ReplyDeletei am oen of those persons who need a concrete answer. how do you glorify
i want to glorify but tell me how! i know why i should glorify him!
Let others see God in you. Spread His love. Touch other's hearts in the way God would so that when people see your actions, they can't help but acknowledge that your motivation comes from above. Then they will ask how you love with such compassion, with such passion, and you tell them that by knowing God's love for you, you are able to translate that love to others.
ReplyDeleteBecome Love. As best and enduring as you can.
is that glory to you or God though?
ReplyDeletehow is letting people see love in you glorifying to God, it sounds more like glorifying to yourself
This is how I glorify God. I am a firm believer in God's love and its power. To me, love is important and I look to God's love in times when I am down. It brings me up when I am in doubt. His love for me is so extravagant that I can't help but want to share it.
ReplyDeleteIt's true that from a 3rd person perspective it looks like I am loving because I want love in return or because I'm pursuing someone or because I can feel better about myself, etc.
However, if the intention is first and foremost God, if I honestly and passionately wish for others to know God, then my actions can not be labeled selfish.
No matter what form of glorifying God that you choose, if you have the true and humble intention, then what you are doing is not for your own glory but for God.
Say that I look to someone giving love to another and I see him smiling and feeling good afterwards. Then I can easily say, "wow, what a self-righteous person. He thinks that because he is spreading love, he is spreading God's love. But I can see through all that. I think he's just trying to earn other people's respect/love/attention."
What I just described here is judgmental behavior. You can't assume that it looks like they are glorifying themselves. Unless you find out their true intention, you can't make any judgment call. Actually, I don't even think it's in anyone's favor to judge anyone else. So don't think this action or that action is selfish. Doing something selfish means that they first had a selfish motive, but if their motive is for God's glory, then of course, they are doing it to glorify God.
(CONTINUED...)
(PART 2)
ReplyDeleteLet me give you another example just in case. Say that a person says his method of glorifying God is by being a pastor at a church. So he's preaching the word to his congregation and so on. However, if his true intentions are his popularity and some messed up "I am a leader of ___ many people" authority complex, then of course, we can label his method of glorifying God as actually glorifying himself. He does not have God as first in his mind and heart.
Let's take this example further. Say this pastor was found out. The congregation would feel betrayed and some people may even lose their faith. This is exactly the opposite of bringing glory to God.
So in essence, glorifying God is bringing someone to know God. It's as simple as that. It even says in the Bible that when just one soul is saved, Heaven rejoices (LUKE 15:7 & 10). I'm pretty sure that when even one person we affect comes to know Christ and is saved, that is more than enough glory that God wants from us.
How you choose to affect people into coming into the light of Christ is up to you.
As I said, for me, I hope that in spite of my human limitations, I can one day do my best to express God's love to the point where I spark the curiosity that inspires someone to acknowledge God and become saved.
Of course, since I am human and sinful, almost every attempt is tainted and more often than not, I fail in my attempts in the end. But if I trust in God, I'm sure that with his infinite wisdom and love, it will work out in the end. Just have to be the best I can be.
Thank you Elliot
ReplyDeleteI think that was a very good explaination.
Getting people to know God is glorifying God.
I wil write that down in my journal!