Could people look at us and think of God? That’s what it means to glorify Him.
It is commonly stated that man’s chief end is to glorify God. What does that mean? How do we do it? Would we not want to seek in every way to give Him the most glory from our lives?
To glorify (doxazo) God can mean “to magnify, extol, and praise” the Lord, acknowledging His attributes and acts. But when we read of Christ glorifying the Father (see Jn. 17:1, 4), He is revealing what the Father is like. Likewise the Spirit glorifies the Son, showing us the wonders of Christ (see Jn. 16:14).
Clearly God’s people should “praise and extol and honor” our God. But the question is: May we also show, by our lives, something of God’s character and wonders? Yes! This is part of the transformation of grace: “…whom He justified, them He also glorified” (Rom. 8:30).
When I was a young believer, “glory” was an obscure idea, something that produced shiny faces. Then I discovered 2 Corinthians 3:18, “We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” It was possible for me to reflect the likeness of the Lord as I cooperated with His Spirit by learning Christ in His holy Word!
So how do I glorify God in daily life? “Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31; see also Eph. 3:21). That pretty well covers it, wouldn’t you say? But let’s get more specific:
1. Serious Strategic Praying: “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, so the Father may be glorified in the Son” (Jn. 14:13). Don’t pray prayers so small you could answer them; pray God-sized prayers (see Col. 1:9-12) so that when He answers, it will be evidence that only God could have done it!
2. Good Works and Good News: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:16, see also 1 Pet. 2:12). “God…has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). Grace and truth, word and deed, open mouths and open hearts—what a combination to win people over to trust and love our God!
3. Use your Gift: “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet. 4:11). The use of spiritual gifts (strongly hinting that we have nothing to do with it) points to the divine Enablers (1 Cor 12:4-6).
4. Keep the Unity: “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” (Rom. 15:5-6; see Jn. 17:22). A sharp word, a cold shoulder, careless innuendos, cliques—all are sure ways to damage the unity of the saints. Perhaps more slander against God results from Christians mistreating each other than for any other reason. “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (Jas. 5:16).
5. Abiding & Abounding: “In this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be My disciples” (Jn. 15:8; see also Phil. 1:11). The fruit on the branch leads back to the Vine rooted in God. How much fruit Christ has borne! Our fruit-bearing proves discipleship.
6. Triumphant Suffering: “The trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tested with fire, might be found to praise, honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:7; see Rom. 8:18). Speaking well of God in our trials, Job-like, defeats the devil and causes men to trust in Him.
7. Enjoy & share God’s blessings: “All things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God” (2 Cor. 4:15). Being frugal with ourselves allows us to be generous with others, sharing His goodness and stirring others to happy thoughts of God, resulting in thanks and glory to Him.