Living to the Glory of God

18 Mar

In Colossians 3:23-24, we are admonished with “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance. for ye serve the Lord Christ.” To glorify God with a singular focus on serving Him is the primary purpose of our lives as Christians.

The admonition to do so also appears in:

1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Colossians 3:17 – “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”

Is your boss in a foul mood? Glorify God in your job. Are you tired of laundering and mending your children’s clothes? Glorify God in your work. Has it become a chore to clean up again and again after your children, or elderly parents? Glorify God in your family. Are you overwhelmed by the daily struggle to keep your home afloat financially? Glorify God in His provision.

How do we do that? Contentment is, in part, the key. The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11b-13: “for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I Thessalonians 5:8-24 gives us the means by which to be content, a roadmap of intentionality in our Christian walk. This passage includes the reminder of our salvation in Jesus Christ, fellowship with other believers, service to those who serve, good done on behalf of both believers and unbelievers, Scriptural verification of what is taught, and keeping yourself even from the appearance of evil.

In the middle of this list, continual communication with God is highlighted in verses 16-18: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Impossible to live up to the picture given us in this passage? Not at all, because we have God’s help to do it, His Holy Spirit indwelling us. Verses 23 and 24 tell us that “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly and your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calls you, who also will do it.”

And God is glorified in your obedience to Him.