The Glory of God

We are meant to live our lives in such a way as to bring glory to God.  This is not just something which takes place on Sunday morning, or when we stand midst the religious icons and holy incense.  It is not something meant for certain times or specific places.  In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he wrote, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God."  (I Corinthians 10:31). While we understand the culture considerations which are being discussed in this text, it is also a Word which transcends culture and tradition in its reminder that no matter how basic an act, it should be done for the glory of God.  

The truth is we want to separate the ordinary from the extraordinary.  We want to create a wide division between what is regarded as sacred and what is regarded as profane.  We want to give certain spiritual practices a greater value than some of the things we do daily to sustain life.  What the Apostle Paul is declaring to the early church is that everything we do is a means by which we can glorify God.  If the very basic act of eating and drinking can be done to glorify God, then any and everything is a means of doing it as well.  

In "The Pursuit of God" A.W. Tozer wrote, "It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it.  The motive is everything."  If we give our life to God, if we "...present (our) bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God..." (Romans 12:1), then our life becomes a sanctified life set apart totally for the use of God and, therefore, whatever we do, regardless of how menial or profane it might be seen, is a means of bringing glory to God.  For the believer living to bring glory to God is not something done only on Sunday in the sanctuary, but everywhere God gives us breath to live and energy to move.  As surely as the heavens brings glory to God by being the heavens, so are we called to bring glory to Him by being His creation.