Topical Bible: Glorifying God: Christ, an Example of

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In the Christian faith, glorifying God is a central tenet, and Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of how to live a life that honors and magnifies God. Throughout the New Testament, Christ's actions, teachings, and prayers consistently reflect His commitment to glorifying the Father.

Obedience to the Father

Jesus' life was marked by perfect obedience to the will of God, demonstrating that true glorification of God involves submission to His will. In John 6:38, Jesus states, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." This obedience is further exemplified in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prays, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). His willingness to endure the cross is the ultimate act of obedience and glorification of God.

Teaching and Proclaiming God's Word

Christ glorified God through His teaching and proclamation of the Kingdom of God. In John 17:4, Jesus declares, "I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do." His teachings were not His own but were given to Him by the Father, as He states in John 7:16, "My teaching is not My own, but it comes from Him who sent Me." By faithfully delivering God's message, Jesus brought glory to the Father.

Miracles and Works

The miracles performed by Jesus were not merely acts of compassion but were also intended to glorify God. In John 11:4, upon hearing of Lazarus's illness, Jesus says, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Each miracle served as a testament to God's power and presence, drawing people to recognize and honor Him.

Prayer and Dependence on God

Jesus frequently withdrew to pray, demonstrating His dependence on and communion with the Father. In John 17, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and all believers, seeking to glorify God through His requests. In John 17:1, He prays, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You." His prayers reveal a deep desire to see God's name exalted.

Sacrificial Love

The sacrificial love of Christ is perhaps the most profound way He glorified God. In John 15:13, Jesus teaches, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." His death on the cross was the ultimate act of love and obedience, bringing glory to God by fulfilling the divine plan of redemption. Through His sacrifice, Jesus demonstrated the depth of God's love for humanity.

Resurrection and Ascension

The resurrection and ascension of Christ further glorify God by demonstrating His victory over sin and death. In Romans 6:4, Paul writes, "We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life." The resurrection is a powerful testament to God's glory and the fulfillment of His promises.

In summary, Jesus Christ exemplifies the glorification of God through His obedience, teachings, miracles, prayer, sacrificial love, and resurrection. His life serves as a model for believers, calling them to live in a manner that honors and magnifies God in all things.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 17:4
I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ the Exemplar
... friends, the world is not to be saved by example. ... comes and says, 'If you love Christ
Jesus because ... will go on from strength to strength glorifying God in your ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/christ the exemplar.htm

Whether those Miracles were Fitting which Christ Worked in ...
... But the demons have no part in glorifying God; since "praise is ... to be Christ or the
Son of God, but because ... to Objection 3: The miracles which Christ worked in ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether those miracles were fitting.htm

Heaven on Earth
... I tell you, friends, example is every thing. ... had got to know love and hope, and holiness
and nobleness, and the love of Christ and the ... What but glorifying God? ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xxi heaven on earth.htm

Of the Beautiful Sermon which St Francis and Brother Ruffino ...
... and glorifying God, who had given them grace to conquer and despise themselves,
to the edification of the flock of Christ, and enabled them, by their example, ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xxx of the beautiful.htm

"Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ. " These Words Belong ...
... are many who, under the pretence of glorifying the advent ... is Christ, "Who was made
to us of God wisdom and ... Consider if the other things which Christ is said to ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/3 grace and truth came.htm

Letter vi. --Rules for General Direction.
... His example ought to be sufficient; look at His patience ... us turn all our energies
to glorifying God in ourselves ... Let us live hidden in Jesus Christ and dead to ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter vi rules for general direction.htm

Concerning the Place of God: and that the Deity Alone is ...
... is spoken of as the place of God: for we have set this apart for the glorifying
of God as ... We speak of the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, the mind ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xiii concerning the place of.htm

Blasphemer, or --Who?
... that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.26. ... else Peter
was right when he said, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/blasphemer orwho.htm

A Changed Life
... which there are many instances"as, for example, the account ... and in the other straight
and glorifying God is the ... sin and when set free by the power of Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/a changed life.htm

The Power of Christianity.
... The perfect life of harmony with God and devotion to the ... life is an imitation of
the life of Christ. ... stream of redeeming, sanctifying, and glorifying power has ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 44 the power of.htm