Your Purpose in Life

Westminster Catechism
Question 1: What is the chief and highest end of man?
Answer: Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God and fully to enjoy Him forever.

God’s Word indicates that His purpose in this world is to disclose His glory (splendor, honor, worth). Beginning with creation and continuing with His personal interaction with earth’s inhabitants, everything God has done, is doing, and will do is designed to reveal His glory. A believer’s purpose in life has a similar objective…to give glory to God.

In the Old Testament, “glory” meant the “weight” or the “worth” of something—just as we say someone’s opinion “carries weight.” The glory of God is the worthiness of God, more specifically, the presence of God in the fullness of his attributes.1 In many instances the word signified “brightness,” especially when people were privileged to see the glory of God. All of the various meanings for “glory” can be combined to describe the intrinsic worth, character, and majestic splendor of God. In short, God’s glory is the radiant manifestation of His person or presence. To glorify God is to make His person, character, or presence evident in any particular situation.

It was God’s glory that was at the center of His revelation to His people in the Old Testament. Exodus 24 records that God’s glory rested on the top of Mt. Sinai. In Exodus 33, Moses’ request centered on seeing God’s glory. In

Exodus 40, the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. When the Philistines took the ark of the covenant, 1 Samuel 4:21 records that the “glory” of the Lord had left Israel.

Since the glory of God is inherently His, Scripture gives particular emphasis to the manifestation of the glory of God in this world and to His children. In this context, glory is “something which radiates from the one who has it, leaving an impression behind.” 2. In other words, whenever God’s glory is evident to someone seeking or following Him, that person will respond; and, often, this response is initially one of awe or fear. On the other hand, those who live self- centeredly and remain in the grip of sin are unable to recognize the glory of God in its various manifestations and, thus, are not influenced nor changed by it.

In the New Testament, “glory” coincides with the Old Testament usage of the term but finds its primary reference to the revelation of God the Father in the Lord Jesus Christ. Through His Person and His Work, Jesus is the pinnacle of the revealed glory of God in the world. When believers are awakened to this spiritual reality and grow in this understanding, they respond with increasing awe, praise, thanksgiving, worship, and loving obedience to the Lord. An unbeliever, however, is unable to recognize or respond to the glory of God in Jesus or in any other aspect of God’s revelation.

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1. The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, Vol. 2, pp. 730-732, Merrill C. Tenney, ed., Zondervan, 1980, 4th printing 

2. Dictionary of New Testament Theology, Vol. 2, p. 44, Colin Brown , ed., Zondervan, 1982, 8th printing

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The following verses are from The New International Version of the Bible, 2011 edition.

I. GOD’S GLORY IS INTRINSIC TO HIM

  1. God’s glory is closely linked to His person
    • It is linked to God Himself.
      Jeremiah 2:11, Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols.
      Acts 7:2, To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran.”
    • It is linked to His name.
      Psalms 79:9, Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake. 
      Psalms 102:15, The nations will fear the name of the Lord, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
      Isaiah 59:19, From the west, people will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along.
  2. There is nothing and no one that can compare with the glory of God.
    Psalms 113:4-5, The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high,
    Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD ; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.”
  3. God’s glory is far beyond anything we can imagine.
    Psalm 57:5, Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
    Psalm 113:4, The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.
  4. Worship is the appropriate response to the glory of God.
    1 Chronicles 16:29, Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
    1 Chronicles 29:11-13, Yours, LORD , is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD , is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
    Psalms 29:2, Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

II. THE GLORY OF GOD IS REVEALED IN VARIOUS WAYS

  1. The glory of God is revealed in the natural wonders He has made.
    Psalms 19:1, The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
  2. The glory of God is revealed in the creation and subsequent calling of His chosen people, Israel.
    Isaiah 43:6-7, I will say to the north, “Give them up!” and to the south, “Do not hold them back.” Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.
  3. The glory of God is revealed in His disciplinary judgments.
    Exodus 14:17-18, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.
    Exodus 16:7, and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD , because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?
    Isaiah 3:8, Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the LORD , defying his glorious presence. 
    Ezekiel 39:21, I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand Ilay on them.
  4. The glory of God is revealed in phenomena that He indwells.
    Exodus 16:10, While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.
    Exodus 24:16-17, and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. 17 To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.

III. GOD’S PHYSICAL PRESENCE IS ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BY HIS GLORY

  1. God’s glory was seen by people of the Old Testament.
    Exodus 33:21-22, Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.”
    Leviticus 9:23, Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.
    Numbers 20:6, Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them.
    Ezekiel 1:26-28, Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man.27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD . When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
  2. God’s glory filled the places of meeting in Old Testament times.
    Exodus 29:43, there (at the tabernacle) also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory.[Explanation added]
    Exodus 40:34-35, Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
    2 Chronicles 7:1-3, When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.2 The priests could not enter the temple of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled it.3 When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD , saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.”
  3. God’s glory will eventually be continually visible.
    • God’s glory will ultimately be manifested in its fullness on earth.
      Psalms 72:19, Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. 
      Isaiah 40:5, And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORDhas spoken.
      Isaiah 66:18, “And I, because of what they have planned and done, am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory.”
      Habakkuk 2:14, For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
    • God’s glory will one day be proclaimed universally.
      Philippians 2:11, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
    • God’s glory will illumine the heavenly city in which all believers will finally dwell.
      Revelation 21:23, The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

IV. UNBELIEVERS HAVE NO INTEREST IN THE GLORY OF GOD

  1. Those focused on themselves instead of God will not obey Him when His glory is revealed.
    Numbers 14:22-23, “not one of the men who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times—not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.”
  2. Sin blocks unbelievers from realizing God’s glory.
    Romans 3:23, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
  3. Unbelievers exchange God’s glory for false worship.
    Romans 1:21-23, For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
  4. Unbelievers will not acknowledge God’s glory even as they experience God’s wrath.
    Revelation 16:9, They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

V. JESUS DISPLAYS THE SUPREME REVELATION OF GOD’S GLORY

  1. Jesus’ birth was announced by the angels as they gave glory to God.
    Luke 2:11, 14, Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord … “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
  2. Jesus was the embodiment of the glory of God.
    John 1:14, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
    2 Corinthians 4:6, For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
    Hebrews 1:3, The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
  3. Jesus lived to bring glory to God.
    John 7:18, Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
    John 12:28, “Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 
    John 13:31-32, When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.”
    John 17:1 4, After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” … “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.”
  4. Jesus performed miracles to the glory of God.
    John 2:11, What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
    John 11:4, When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
    • In response to Jesus’ miracles, the people praised (glorified) God.
      Matthew 9:8, When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
      Matthew 15:31, The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
      Luke 5:26, Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
      Luke 7:16, They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”
    • The recipients of Jesus’ miracles responded with praise (glory) to God.
      Luke 13:13, Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
      Luke 17:15, One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.
  5. Jesus, in His Transfiguration, revealed His eternal glory visibly on earth.
    Matthew 17:1-8, After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
    2 Peter 1:17, He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
  6. Jesus’ death on the cross manifested the glory of God.
    John 12:23-33, Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 27“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
  7. Jesus was raised from the dead through the glory of God.
    Romans 6:4, We 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.
    1 Peter 1:20-21, He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
  8. Jesus ascended in glory.
    Luke 24:26, “Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
    1 Timothy 3:16, Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
  9. Jesus, being fully divine, has the same relationship to glory as does God the Father.
    John 17:5, And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
    1 Corinthians 2:8, None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
  10. Jesus will return to earth with the angels in the glory of God.
    Matthew 16:27, For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
    Matthew 25:31, When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 
    Mark 8:38, If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.

VI. SALVATION AND RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE TO THE GLORY OF GOD

  1. Believers were called by God to Himself for His glory.
    Romans 9:22-24, What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?
    2 Corinthians 4:15, All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
    Ephesians 1:5-6, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
    Ephesians 1:12, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
    1 Peter 5:10, And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
  2. Believers are filled with the righteousness of Christ for God’s glory.
    Philippians 1:11, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

VII. BELIEVERS ARE TO LIVE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

  1. Believers bring glory to God by praying rightly.
    John 14:13, And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
  2. Believers bring glory to God through the fruit of their lives.
    John 15:8, This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
  3. Believers are to be in unity with one another for the glory of God.
    Romans 15:5-7, May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise (glory) to God. [Explanation added]
  4. Believers bring glory to God through the Christ-honoring use of their bodies.
    1 Corinthians 6:20, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor (glorify) God with your body. [Explanation added]
  5. Believers can bring glory to God in times of suffering.
    1 Peter 4:14-16, If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise (glorify) God that you bear that name. [Explanation added]
  6. Believers are to minister to the glory of God.
    1 Peter 4:11, If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised (glorified) through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. [Explanation added]
  7. Believers can glorify God by confessing the truth.
    Joshua 7:19, Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and honor him. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.”
    John 9:24, A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”
  8. Believers can glorify God by giving generously.
    2 Corinthians 8:19, What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which weadminister in order to honor (glorify) the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. [Explanation added]
    2 Corinthians 9:13, Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise (glorify) God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. [Explanation added]
  9. Believers are to bring glory to God in everything they do.
    1 Corinthians 10:31, So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

VIII. BELIEVERS ARE ETERNALLY LINKED TO GOD’S GLORY

  1. Believers share in the glory of God through Christ.
    John 17:22, I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.
    Romans 8:17, Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
    2 Corinthians 3:18, And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate (reflect) the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. [Explanation added]
    Colossians 1:27, To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
    Hebrews 2:9-10, But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.
    1 Peter 5:10, And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
  2. Believers are assured of complete glorification in the future.
    Psalm 73:24, You guide me with your counsel, and afterward, you will take me into glory.
    Romans 8:30, And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
    1 Corinthians 15:42-43, So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;
    Philippians 3:20-21, But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
    Colossians 3:4, When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
    1 Peter 5:1, To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow-elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed.
    1 Peter 5:4, And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

IX. GOD’S GLORY IS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED

  1. Those who witness the Christ-likeness of believers’ lives have reason to glorify God.
    Matthew 5:16, In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
    1 Peter 2:12, Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
  2. All nations are to proclaim His glory.
    1 Chronicles 16:23-29, Sing to the LORD , all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.25 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.26 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. 28 Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength, 29 ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
    Psalm 96:1-9, Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.4 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. 7 Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. 9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.

CONCLUSION

Apart from Christ, you cannot intentionally bring glory to God (that is, make His person, character, or presence evident in any particular situation). No one can bring glory to God by depending on natural power or wisdom. After placing one’s faith in Christ, however, a believer has the privileged responsibility of daily bringing glory to God in thoughts, words, and deeds by a faithful reliance on God’s Word, His indwelling Holy Spirit, and His Son, Jesus Christ.

With God’s glory in view, a believer should reject any methodologies for living that are not based on divine wisdom. Apart from Christ, any person, even at the highest pinnacle of natural wisdom, is unable to bring glory to God because natural wisdom, in all of its endeavors, focuses on the creature and not the Creator.

Such is not the case with a believer in Christ. With the glory of God having such prominence in Scripture, a believer can, by God’s grace and power, orient every aspect of life and relationships to bring glory to God. Maintaining that focus will enable a child of God to:

  • depend on the Word of God and live by the Holy Spirit’s empowerment,
  • increase in love for Jesus and others,
  • become more Christ-like in one’s thoughts, words, and deeds,
  • pray without ceasing,
  • have a thankful heart that presents sacrifices of gratitude to God in everything,
  • move one’s attention away from self in order to love others and be a witness for Jesus in the world,
  • keep life’s challenges in a biblical perspective by remaining fixed on Jesus instead of one’s self,
  • be involved in on-going relationships and ministries within the Body of Christ, and
  • be a giver instead of a receiver, thus serving others instead of expecting to receive service.

In summary, to “do all for the glory of God” gives a believer an all-encompassing purpose for life. A believer whose primary purpose for living is to make God’s person, character, or presence evident in any particular situation (that is, to bring glory to God) will realize abundant life. Our Lord and Savior lived out this identical purpose while here on this earth. We are to follow in His steps and do likewise…all for the glory of God.

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Do All for the Glory of God © 2013 WordTruth, Inc—http://www.wordtruth.net 
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