This involves the why of our actions i.e. what is our motive for acting? Are we acting for the
¹glory of God or glory of self i.e. to advance God's rule (kingdom) or ²our own? We either do one or the other. These are opposite as well as opposed to each other. There is no middle ground. There can't be since God's glory and ours are ³contrary to each other.
One of these two is the ultimate end we seek in every action - from the most grand of actions to the least significant - e.g. eating and drinking.
One of these two is the ultimate end we seek in every action - from the most grand of actions to the least significant - e.g. eating and drinking.
What is at the heart of this difference and what enables us to live for God's glory?
We must behold God's glory (His infinite worth, importance, significance etc.) and partake of it to display it. If we do not, we will not experience it or be able to extend it to others. We are left to act only for inferior self-glory (self-exaltation), for we must experience ¹glory ⁴one way or the other; ⁵legitimately or illegitimately.
Because we are created to know and partake in God - who is all glorious (most significant, important, and valuable) - but are absent this due to our rebellious distrust of God, we must experience ¹glory in some other way to function (even if inferior to the way we were designed to - i.e. in, by, and through God). To use an analogy, drinking from a toilet is better than dying of thirst...(at least initially, for we could likely die from disease if we continued doing so). Like we must have food, air, and water, we must also know we have value-significance (glory) to exist much less function well - if not physically, at least spiritually and emotionally.
We must behold God's glory (His infinite worth, importance, significance etc.) and partake of it to display it. If we do not, we will not experience it or be able to extend it to others. We are left to act only for inferior self-glory (self-exaltation), for we must experience ¹glory ⁴one way or the other; ⁵legitimately or illegitimately.
Because we are created to know and partake in God - who is all glorious (most significant, important, and valuable) - but are absent this due to our rebellious distrust of God, we must experience ¹glory in some other way to function (even if inferior to the way we were designed to - i.e. in, by, and through God). To use an analogy, drinking from a toilet is better than dying of thirst...(at least initially, for we could likely die from disease if we continued doing so). Like we must have food, air, and water, we must also know we have value-significance (glory) to exist much less function well - if not physically, at least spiritually and emotionally.
If our experience of glory comes from the Source of glory - i.e. God - we function optimally and are most fulfilled and effective, as we were designed to be. If our sense of glory (worth) is ⁶self generated or achieved, we operate contrary to our design, break down, and eventually crash and burn at all levels, i.e. spiritually, emotionally, and physically. If we are not receivers of God's glory (as we're designed to be) we become only takers or grabbers of glory from somewhere other than God, the one true Source of life, love, and all things.
To take glory is to dishonor and harm others, God first, then our fellow image bearers. For we must take from others what they also ⁷need - i.e. their sense of dignity, importance, and worth - in order to do so.
This is the essence of an evil heart. It is the strategy we all engage in when not captivated by God's glorious love and beauty.
For a further discussion on how we are created for glory click here.
Are we actually rebels against God? For a further discussion click here.
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¹Glory - value, significance, importance etc., and a sense of these. God is most glorious and the source of all glory, we are designed to partake and participate in it.
¹Glory - value, significance, importance etc., and a sense of these. God is most glorious and the source of all glory, we are designed to partake and participate in it.
2 Pet 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
Some may wonder why or how not glorifying God is evil. Good question. If God is the Creator and sustainer of all good things, to deny this and live contrary to it (as if something other than God is the source of life) is a lie that results in actions with far-reaching and harmful consequences. Actions that point to anything as the source other than God. Causing harm is the essence of evil. For a further discussion, click here.
²Some may wonder what is wrong with building our own kingdom? Stated simply, we were created for much greater, more meaningful things. Building our own kingdom does not fit who we are (we only think it is because outside of God this is all we know and the best we can do). Though we are created to build kingdoms - grand ones at that - but not exclusively for ourselves but for the King of kings. We are creatures in the image of God designed to participate in Him. In doing so we find our greatest sense of meaning, purpose, and joy.
But we must choose this. God does not force us to pursue Him, He lets us choose.
Nevertheless enjoying Him above everything else is what we are designed for and where we find our greatest joy, meaning, and purpose. We are still a major part of the equation, just not the focus of it.
³They may be opposite but they are not separate. They are connected. How? When we glorify God we experience our greatest glory. But we do not honor-glorify God for this reason - i.e. our glory is not our focus but the result of focusing on God. We do so simply because God is all glorious and deserves all praise and all our praise. It is when we discover him as all glorious, we experience our greatest glory i.e. when we humble ourselves we are exalted...to live we must die...to find our life we must lose it... etc (This is a reoccurring theme throughout scripture, sometimes referred to as the upside-down kingdom). Experiencing our greatest glory (worth) is the fruit of recognizing God's infinite worth (glory). To see His glory, we must first die to efforts to try to obtain it independent of Him. Obtaining our own glory independent of God's not only doesn't work, it is in opposition to God as well as to us.⁴Because we were created for glory if we do not receive it from God we will seek it elsewhere. Otherwise, we give up and die.
⁵Seeking glory illegitimately is wrong for two reasons.
⁵Seeking glory illegitimately is wrong for two reasons.
1. It is contrary to our design and therefore what is best for us (i.e. it doesn't work long term).
2. It is also contrary to who God is, who alone is all glorious (most valuable, significant, and worthy of all our affection and loyalty) and therefore, most worthy of our trust.
To not recognize Him as He truly is dishonors Him. He alone deserves our worship (our highest regard for His infinite worth) and faithfulness.
⁶By using creation to get a sense of glory - value (both internally through the talents/abilities He's given us and externally through the natural resources all around us).
⁷except God, who is the cause and source of all dignity, worth, and greatness.
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Grace to you
Jim Deal