SETTING THE PACE / Living life with an eternal perspective
The cry of the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s was “Soli Deo Gloria!” This Latin phrase is translated “The Glory of God Alone” and is a declaration that all of life is about glorifying God. But, what does that really mean? How do we live for the glory of God?
When the Bible talks about glory, it is talking about the splendor, worth, and renown of God. God is inherently glorious. This means that God is not dependent on anyone or anything to make Him glorious. He is glorious in and of Himself because He is God and there is no other. Bringing glory to God is simply recognizing who God is and declaring His worth and value above all other things. This should be the heartbeat of every Christian.
There are three things every person must consider if they want to start living for the glory of God.
First, to begin living for the glory of God, a person must understand the greatness of God. We will never desire to glorify God if we are unsure of what He deserves. Glorifying God requires recognizing the awesomeness of God.
As the Psalmist said in Psalm 113, “The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens! Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high?”
The reality is that there is none like God. There are none who can compare to Him. God has no rival or equal! He is God and He reigns over all things. A Christian must understand the greatness of God if he wants to bring God the glory He deserves!
Second, to begin living for the glory of God, a person must die to the glory of self. Once we recognize how great God is, that causes us to understand how sinful we are. There is no way anyone will ever live for the glory of God, if they still desire to bring glory to themselves. As Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to follow Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me!” Death to self comes by seeing yourself in light of who God is. The first step toward God is with a step away from self. God shares His glory with no one, and anyone who wants to make much of God, must first die to themselves.
Psalm 115:1 says, “Not to us, not to us, but to Your name be glory.” Finally, to begin living for the glory of God, a person must live with a focus on eternal things. The apostle Paul said it best in Colossians 3:12, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” The only way to live effectively on earth is to have a mindset on eternal things. How can a person expect to glorify God if their heart and mind is set on things that do not please God? The answer is, “They can’t.” We must deliberately set our minds on things above if we expect to bring glory to God.
Today, remember there is absolutely nothing greater than living for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” My friends, may that be true of every one of us, and may our lives clearly declare “Soli Deo Gloria!” See you next week!
