"God chose us 'to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in [His beloved Son]" (Ephesians 1:6).
You were created to glorify God.
Henry Martyn, an Englishman, served as a missionary in India and Persia in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Upon his arrival in Calcutta he cried out, "Let me burn out for God." As he watched the people prostrating themselves before their pagan idols and heard blasphemy uttered against Christ, he wrote, "This excited more horror in me than I can well express ... I could not endure existence if Jesus was not glorified; it would be hell to me, if He were to be always thus dishonored".
Martyn had a passion for God's glory - and he was in good company. Angels glorify God (Luke 2:14), as do the heavens (Psalm 19:1) and even animals (Isaiah 43:20). But as a believer, you glorify in a unique was because you are a testimony to His redeeming grace.
You were created for the purpose of glorifying God - even in the most mundane activities of life, such as eating and drinking. You are to flee immorality so you can glorify God in your body. You are to walk worthy of your calling, so "that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified" (2 Thess. 1:12).
Glorifying God is an enormous privilege and an awesome responsibility. When others see His character on display in your life, it reminds them of His power, goodness, and grace. But when they don't, God is dishonored, and His character is called into question.
Aim your life at God's glory; make it the standard by which you evaluate everything you do.
Suggestions for Prayer: Thank you Lord for the privilege of glorifying Him. Ask Him to show you any areas of your life that do not honor Him. Find a trusted Christian friend who will pray with you and hold you accountable for the areas in which you know you need to change.
For Further Study: Read Exodus 33:12; 34:9. What did Moses request? What was God's response, and what does this teach us about His glory?
~John MacArthur~
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