Glorify

1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

What does it really mean to “do everything for the glory of God”? If your primary application of this verse is thanking God for the pizza you’re about to eat, there is a chance that it may not be fully understood. Paul had much more in mind than a blessing over your food.

When Paul heard that the Christians in Corinth were arguing over eating sacrificial meat, he essentially told them they were missing the point. “All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful or encouraging. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of others” (1 Corinthians 10:23–24). Glorifying God in everything begins with…you guessed it, surrender. Honoring God by laying down our desires, wishes, plans, and motivations to follow only His. We glorify God when, out of love for him, we lay down anything that keeps others from seeing and receiving His love! Our only goal must be for others to know Him and his sacrificial love for them.

To glorify God in everything requires commitment to Him — in everything. Psalms 127:1 states, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” We can spend a lot of time and effort doing things that may look good on the outside but ultimately end in nothing. But if we allow the Lord to lead, direct our steps, and focus our efforts on what He knows will accomplish His purpose and bring satisfaction to our lives, He is glorified. There are three specific actions that scripture states will bring glory to God.

Matthew 5:14-16 instructs us, “You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” When we choose to live in submission to God, allowing the Holy Spirit to shine through our transformed lives, demonstrating the unmeasurable love, grace, and mercy of Jesus, God is glorified. 1 Peter 2:12 sums it up beautifully: “Live such good lives among the unbelievers that they may see your good deeds and glorify God.” This is not about performance, but the overflow of a life transformed by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus and saturated with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:5-6 calls us to live in unity: “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” God so desires unity with us that He sent Jesus to pay the ultimate price to end the separation. At Jesus’s death, the curtain separating the Holy of Holies from mankind was torn in two—signifying that unity with God was now available to everyone. Just as we can now live in unity with God, he commands a blessing when we choose to put away offense, differences, and conflict to live in unity with one another. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! For there the Lord commands His blessing” (Psalm 133).

Isaiah 61:3 implores us to encourage, strengthen, and comfort others, “to grant all those who mourn, a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the cloak of praise instead of a disheartened spirit. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Father, let us choose to “Glorify the Lord and exalt his name together” Psalm 34:3.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Colossians 3:17 NIV And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Ephesians 5:15-16 TPT So be very careful how you live, not being like those with no understanding, but live honorably with true wisdom, for we are living in evil times. Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for the Lord’s purposes.

Colossians 2:6-7 NLT And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

1 Peter 4:10-11 NLT God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Colossians 3:23 NLT Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Ephesians 6:6-7 TPT Always do what is right and not only when others are watching, so that you may please Christ as his servants by doing his will. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Colossians 3:1-3 NLT Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

Romans 14:8 NLT If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Psalm 103:1-5 NASB Bless the Lord, my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, And do not forget any of His benefits; Who forgives all your sin, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with favor and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Psalms 119:10 TPT I have longed for you with the passion of my heart; don’t let me stray from your directions!

Matthew 5:15-16 TPT Who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that your commendable works will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.

Colossians 4:2 TPT Be faithful to pray as intercessors who are fully alert and giving thanks to God.

Ephesians 5:1-2 TPT Be imitators of God in everything you do, for then you will represent your Father as his beloved sons and daughters. And continue to walk surrendered to the extravagant love of Christ, for he surrendered his life as a sacrifice for us. His great love for us was pleasing to God, like an aroma of adoration—a sweet healing fragrance.