Topical Bible: Glorifying God: Obligation of Saints To

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of glorifying God is a central tenet in Christian theology, emphasizing the duty and privilege of believers to honor and magnify the name of the Lord through their lives, actions, and worship. This obligation is deeply rooted in Scripture and is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith.

Biblical Foundation

The obligation of saints to glorify God is underscored throughout the Bible. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, the Apostle Paul instructs believers, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God" . This verse encapsulates the comprehensive nature of glorifying God, indicating that every aspect of a believer's life should reflect God's glory.

In the Old Testament, the call to glorify God is evident in passages such as Psalm 86:12, where the psalmist declares, "I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever" . This expression of devotion highlights the enduring commitment to honor God.

Purpose and Motivation

The purpose of glorifying God is to acknowledge His supreme worth and majesty. Isaiah 43:7 states, "everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made" , indicating that humanity's creation is intrinsically linked to the glorification of God. Believers are motivated by love, gratitude, and reverence for God's character and works.

Means of Glorification

1. Worship and Praise: Worship is a primary means by which saints glorify God. Hebrews 13:15 encourages believers, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name" . Corporate and personal worship serve as expressions of adoration and reverence.

2. Obedience and Holiness: Living a life of obedience and holiness is another way to glorify God. Jesus taught in Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" . The conduct of believers should reflect God's righteousness and lead others to honor Him.

3. Proclamation of the Gospel: Sharing the message of salvation is a vital aspect of glorifying God. In 1 Peter 2:9, believers are described as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" . Evangelism and testimony are means to exalt God's name.

4. Suffering and Perseverance: Enduring trials with faith and patience can also glorify God. In 1 Peter 4:16, it is written, "But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name" . Suffering for the sake of Christ is an opportunity to demonstrate trust in God's sovereignty and goodness.

Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling believers to glorify God. In John 16:14, Jesus says of the Spirit, "He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you" . The Spirit empowers and guides believers, helping them to live in a manner that honors God.

Eternal Perspective

The glorification of God is not limited to this life but extends into eternity. Revelation 5:13 envisions a future where "every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them," will proclaim, "To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!" . This eternal perspective encourages believers to live with the ultimate goal of glorifying God in view.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 6:20
For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Christian --A Debtor
... at their midnight lamps, the ancient saints in their ... the immense debt of our obligation
by seeking ... the Scriptures, for maintaining liberty, for glorifying God? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the christiana debtor.htm

Knowledge. Worship. Gratitude.
... There is another way of not glorifying God as God, and that ... a god who is under some
degree of obligation to his ... Some live in the presence of God, so they tell ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/knowledge worship gratitude.htm

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
... in affording him every facility for glorifying God by yielding ... duty, and as enforcing
covenant obligation, fall to ... God prepares men for the communion of saints ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vii covenanting adapted to.htm

Ananias and Sapphira.
... holiness which they see in the saints, but to ... of his property; and the only positive
obligation, to which ... would have died, like Achan, glorifying God by making ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vi ananias and sapphira.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... enjoined in statutes of perpetual moral obligation, that illustrate ... God is glorified
when the perfections of his ... an adoring frame of mind, is glorifying to him ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... The law of nature imposes the obligation; the forbearance of God ... of a covenant appointed
to sanction, among other practices glorifying to God, a service by ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

Covenant Duties.
... The obligation incumbent on such, nay, on all"whether in power ... for good, or succeeded
by what is glorifying to God ... me."[308] "I will extol thee, my God, O King ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

The Necessity of Actual Grace
... they were made impious by not glorifying God, and unrighteousness ... the maxim: "Help
yourself and God will help ... on the Predestination of the Saints: "What need ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 1 the necessity of.htm

Justification.
... would not be a compliance with moral obligation. ... Wonderful"Counsellor"the mighty
God"the everlasting ... Spirit is represented not as glorifying himself, but ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxvi justification.htm

Centuries of Meditations
... 27 As Love is righteous in glorifying itself and making its ... it his duty and much
delighted in the obligation. ... he might have had but one request of God Almighty. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/