Word@Work Phil56 - Philippians 4:20
Published: Thu, 12/10/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
GLORY UNENDING
Phil. 4:20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (NIV)
At the end of Paul's discussion about missionary giving and God's never-failing provision, he gives the glory to God. 'Glory' is a major Bible word which has its roots in the weighty, majestic solemnity and holy beauty of God. Glory describes both the magnificently powerful nature of His character and every way in which that is displayed. The glory of God is awesome. Moses could not see God's glory and live (Ex 33:18-23); Isaiah was in fear of his life at the manifestation of God's glory (Is 6:5) and the glory covering Jesus provided Peter, James and John with an unforgettable validation of His Deity (2 Peter 1:16-18).
God's glory is both yesterday's wonder and tomorrow's hope. It is also the purpose of our lives today: as we serve Him in a Christ-like way, our transformed lifestyle points to the glory of our heavenly Master (Matt 5:16; Eph 1:2), whose power has enabled us. So promoting God's glory becomes a primary motivation to please Him. That is true in showing kindness to the needy, giving time and money to provide resources for the gospel, and being content with what we have. Holy living of that calibre always gives glory to God. And the glorification of God is unending; it will be the theme song for all eternity: amazingly, we (who know Him) will share in His glory for ever (1 Pet 1:5).
But all that is in stark contrast with our fleshly nature which desires our own glory. Such ambitions are futile because all glory, apart from God's, will disappear when He appears in glory. That should start us thinking about what we do each day and why we do it. The Christian author John Piper puts it like this: "... the most freeing discovery this sinner has ever made, is that God's deepest commitment to be glorified and my deepest longing to be satisfied are not in conflict, but in fact find simultaneous consummation in His display of and my delight in the glory of God" (from 'The Supremacy of God in Preaching'). That is not just for preachers, but for farmers and financiers, health and harbour workers, teachers and trades-people, researchers and retailers, managers and musicians. Wherever God has placed you, your task is to live so that God is glorified. Even if they resist your witness, God is still glorified. Promoting God's glory is the everyday challenge for every believer: as God allows even the strangest of circumstances - so that in relying on Him and resting in His peace we may confidently point beyond today, to the God of Glory.
Prayer: Glorious God. Thank You that I have the privilege of knowing You now, and anticipating seeing You and sharing Your glory one day. Help me to live each day so that I promote Your glory as my transformed life reflects Your grace. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
At the end of Paul's discussion about missionary giving and God's never-failing provision, he gives the glory to God. 'Glory' is a major Bible word which has its roots in the weighty, majestic solemnity and holy beauty of God. Glory describes both the magnificently powerful nature of His character and every way in which that is displayed. The glory of God is awesome. Moses could not see God's glory and live (Ex 33:18-23); Isaiah was in fear of his life at the manifestation of God's glory (Is 6:5) and the glory covering Jesus provided Peter, James and John with an unforgettable validation of His Deity (2 Peter 1:16-18).
God's glory is both yesterday's wonder and tomorrow's hope. It is also the purpose of our lives today: as we serve Him in a Christ-like way, our transformed lifestyle points to the glory of our heavenly Master (Matt 5:16; Eph 1:2), whose power has enabled us. So promoting God's glory becomes a primary motivation to please Him. That is true in showing kindness to the needy, giving time and money to provide resources for the gospel, and being content with what we have. Holy living of that calibre always gives glory to God. And the glorification of God is unending; it will be the theme song for all eternity: amazingly, we (who know Him) will share in His glory for ever (1 Pet 1:5).
But all that is in stark contrast with our fleshly nature which desires our own glory. Such ambitions are futile because all glory, apart from God's, will disappear when He appears in glory. That should start us thinking about what we do each day and why we do it. The Christian author John Piper puts it like this: "... the most freeing discovery this sinner has ever made, is that God's deepest commitment to be glorified and my deepest longing to be satisfied are not in conflict, but in fact find simultaneous consummation in His display of and my delight in the glory of God" (from 'The Supremacy of God in Preaching'). That is not just for preachers, but for farmers and financiers, health and harbour workers, teachers and trades-people, researchers and retailers, managers and musicians. Wherever God has placed you, your task is to live so that God is glorified. Even if they resist your witness, God is still glorified. Promoting God's glory is the everyday challenge for every believer: as God allows even the strangest of circumstances - so that in relying on Him and resting in His peace we may confidently point beyond today, to the God of Glory.
Prayer: Glorious God. Thank You that I have the privilege of knowing You now, and anticipating seeing You and sharing Your glory one day. Help me to live each day so that I promote Your glory as my transformed life reflects Your grace. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
On Monday we will begin a new series in Luke. All the previous Word@Work messages in Mark, Ephesians, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter and Philippians are available at www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
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