Topical Bible: Glorifying God: Due to Him

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Definition and Importance

Glorifying God refers to the act of honoring, praising, and acknowledging the majesty and holiness of God. It is a central theme in Christian theology and practice, emphasizing the believer's duty to recognize God's supreme worth and to reflect His glory in all aspects of life. The concept of glorifying God is deeply rooted in Scripture, where it is presented as both a command and a natural response to God's character and works.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently calls believers to glorify God, underscoring that all creation exists for His glory. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, the Apostle Paul instructs, "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 action, no matter how mundane, should be performed with the intention of honoring Him.

The Psalms frequently exhort believers to glorify God, as seen in Psalm 29:2: "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness." This call to worship highlights the intrinsic worthiness of God to receive glory and honor from His creation.

Theological Significance

Glorifying God is not merely an external act but a reflection of the believer's heart and relationship with God. It involves recognizing God's attributes—His omnipotence, omniscience, holiness, and love—and responding with reverence and adoration. In Romans 11:36, Paul declares, "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen." This doxology emphasizes that all things originate from God, are sustained by Him, and ultimately exist for His glory.

Practical Application

Believers are called to glorify God in various aspects of life, including worship, obedience, and witness. Worship is a primary means of glorifying God, as seen in John 4:23-24, where Jesus states, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him." True worship involves both spirit and truth, reflecting an authentic and informed response to God's revelation.

Obedience to God's commands is another way to glorify Him. Jesus taught in Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Here, the believer's righteous actions serve as a testimony to God's transformative power, leading others to glorify Him.

Witnessing to others about God's grace and truth is also a vital aspect of glorifying God. In 1 Peter 2:9, believers are described as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." This passage underscores the believer's role in proclaiming God's excellencies to the world.

Conclusion

Glorifying God is an essential aspect of the Christian life, encompassing worship, obedience, and witness. It is both a duty and a privilege, reflecting the believer's acknowledgment of God's supreme worth and the desire to honor Him in all things. Through glorifying God, believers fulfill their ultimate purpose and participate in the divine plan of redemption and restoration.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 16:29
Give to the LORD the glory due to his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of the Beautiful Sermon which St Francis and Brother Ruffino ...
... to all men that which is their due, if thou ... avoid hell; keep the commandments of
God and love ... convent of the Portiuncula, praising and glorifying God, who had ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xxx of the beautiful.htm

The Good Steward
... and actions, in one flame of love, as a holy sacrifice, glorifying me with ... duty;
seeing all we have is not our own, but God's; all we can do is due to Him. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 51 the good steward.htm

Of the Loving of God in Ourselves and Other Creatures...
... of Divine charity nor directed to the glorifying of God ... God by reflection, or the
loving of God in things ... for such affections as are necessarily due by virtue ...
/.../chapter v of the loving.htm

What is Forbidden in the First Commandment?
... denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God, as God, [and our God,]
and the giving of that worship and glory to any other which is due to Him alone ...
/.../the westminster shorter catechism/question 47 0 0 what is forbidden.htm

Why is it that Our Lord Has Tarried Till Now? Why Has not the ...
... they been used with the purpose of glorifying God or of ... cannot be said that these
things are due to man's ... Man then cannot complain that God has not given him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 why is it that.htm

The Christian --A Debtor
... for preserving the Scriptures, for maintaining liberty, for glorifying God? ... the
tremendous weight of obligation due to him ... Beloved, if God be a father, where is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the christiana debtor.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian.
... And when all were glorifying God, and wondering at the faith of John ... they retired
praising and blessing the benignant God; because to Him is due glory now ...
/.../acts of the holy apostle.htm

Man's Chief End
... discontent, but seldom bring glory to God, by giving him the praise due to his ... their
mouth, but few have harps in their hand, blessing and glorifying God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 mans chief end.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... Obeying the precept, "give unto the Lord the glory due unto his ... every spiritual act
of worship is glorifying to God, then all of them are glorifying to him ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

The Westminster Shorter Catechism. AD 1647.
... the denying, or not worshiping and glorifying the true God, as God, and our God;
and the giving that worship and glory to any other which is due to him alone. ...
/.../the westminster shorter catechism a d.htm