How Do We Glorify God?

That’s something we should be able to explain since it appears from Friday’s CNN headline that quite a few people are not aware what that means. Here’s the link to an opinion article:  Is glorifying God a hate crime?

Of course, there is a news story with background on the situation – from a CNN news article:

Cochran self-published the book "Who Told You That You Were Naked." The GA Voice cited two passages from the book, which refers to homosexuality as unclean, inappropriate, vile and vulgar.

When his book became public, Cochran was suspended and ultimately fired by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.

In his opinion piece, Russell D. Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, looks beyond the homosexual questions:

While many are pointing to passages in Cochran's book about sexuality, much of the furor, especially in online forums, is directed toward another passage, in which Cochran says that his life and work serve the purpose of glorifying God.

Some see this language as scary and subversive, as though Cochran were planning a theocratic takeover of the fire department and would refuse to put out fires for cohabiting couples or gay or lesbian people or atheists.

Christians understand that we exist for God’s glory. Are we doing a good job 1) of living up to His commands that He may be glorified; and 2) of explaining what that means.

That was part of the message given at Christ’s birth:

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:13-14 KJV)

There are scriptures available to help us understand what we can do to glorify God:

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV)

A little later, Paul advocates glorifying God in all we do:

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV)

Sounds good, right? So, what is “glory”? Strong’s defines δόξα as dignity, honor, praise, worship. That’s what we are to give, our lives lived with these characteristics simply because we love God. Our lives are to be lived consistent with Christ’s. He is our example. After He washed the disciples feet, He said:

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. (John 13:15-17 KJV)

No, we are not required to dress as He dressed, wear our hair as He did, eat as He ate. Our tasks are to be spiritual, as He is, and keep God’s commandments:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)

Yes – that’s a verse that I use often. I use it often to remind me that these two commandments can answer most of the questions I have when it comes to understanding what I should be doing to glorify God. I never get tired of reading it.