Introduction: In this study called "Learning to Fear God," we have seen that those, who truly fear the Lord, have certain characteristics in their lives.
- God-fearing people willingly and fearfully submit to the authorities God has set up.
- God-fearing people are obedient to His Word.
- God-fearing people live in the constant and conscious presence of the Lord. It is impossible to flee the presence of God, but it is possible to ignore it!
- God-fearing people live in total dependence on Him.
The next characteristic of a God-fearing Christian is the fact that he wants God to be glorified in all he does. To glorify God means, among other things, that the light shines on God and not on us. In other words, what we do should point others to the Lord.
Our first and foremost purpose in life is to glorify God. Isaiah 43:7 says, "Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him."
This purpose supersedes any other purpose you may have. Adam and Eve were created for sweet fellowship with God. If you are not fulfilling this as your main purpose, you cannot bring glory to God.
Everything that He did for and to us, in His creation of us, was all for His glory. We cannot hold any other purpose above this one. To do so is not right! Parents, you must be careful to teach this to your children. They were conceived with God's purpose in mind, not the list that the world feeds them! Everything about us is to glorify God. Everything!
God has the right to demand this. Isaiah 45:9-13 states, "Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth? Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts."
* Is He Lord, or is He not? Is He in charge, or is He not? Is He the Boss, or is He not?
The thing created has no right to choose its own purpose. That is the Creator's job. Isaiah 45:13 says, "ÉI will direct all his ways."
Proverbs 3:5-6 sheds some light on this. The created must trust the Creator, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
As Revelation 15:4 says, "Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest." Our fear of the Lord is clearly seen in whether or not we glorify Him!
So, it ought to be the aim of every God-fearing Christian to bring honor and glory to God.
1. God is glorified when others see it. - Matthew 5:14-16
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
- So often, we hear someone say that his Christianity is a private thing. The truth is, it is not.
- Lights are made to shine and show the way.
- Other passages bear this out as well:
* "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." (Titus 2:4, 5)
* "Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." (Titus 2:9, 10)
- Again, the Apostle Paul makes this clear in Romans 2:23-24, " Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written."
2. All we do ought to glorify God.
- The Apostle Paul wrote, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved." (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)
- "All" means "all."
- Elisha Albright Hoffman penned, "Is Your All on the Altar?" He asks this in the chorus:
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest,
And have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.
3. What does it cost? - Luke 9:24
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."
- As was said, "You can only be blest, and have peace and sweet rest, as you yield Him your body and soul."
* "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." (John 12:24)
* "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (John 15:8)
- Fruit-bearing comes after the corn of wheat is fallen and dead. This is why Paul said, "I die daily." He knew he had to die to his desires and wants in order to glorify the Lord.
- Always crying about your wants and needs dishonors the Lord.
- Dying to self and abiding in Christ is part of the cost.
* "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)
* "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)
Conclusion: Sadly, Christians worry themselves about all but bringing glory to God. Let's remember the admonition of 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God!"