Faith brings Glory to GOD

God is most glorified when we trust in HIM

The powerful five-word phrase in the title above recently came up in a conversation in our Intercession group. Today, I want to reflect on them, especially in light of the context from which they arose. We were talking about the challenges that Christian believers like us face in times like these, times in which we are not here by chance, but rather destined to live out our faith in Christ - to His glory.

Therefore, I want to begin with Glory to God.

Karl Barth was a 20th-century Swiss Reformed theologian who, like many before him, emphasized the importance of Jesus' birth as an exceptional event in Christian faith. Barth believed that Jesus' birth represented God's self-revelation to humanity and that through Jesus, humanity was given the opportunity to know and experience God in a new way. We see confirmation of the absolute greatness of Jesus' birth in Luke 2:13-14. The shepherds experienced it, and an angel confirmed it, and suddenly there was a multitude of angels praising God and saying:

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

This is the only event in the entire Bible that was announced in such a stellar way, and the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as the long-awaited Christ form an integral part of each of the five basic tenets of Christian faith. The introduction is indisputable: Glory to God! If it is true of Jesus, and it is, then it must also be true of every facet of the life of every Christian believer: Honor to God!

John Piper, a Christian pastor, writer, and theologian whom I greatly respect and often quote, believes that the most important goal of human life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. This phrase is often referred to as the "chief end of man" and is based on the Westminster Shorter Catechism. He believes that God created people to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever and that this can only be achieved through a deep and uninterrupted relationship with God. With Luke 2:14 fresh in my mind, I believe this with him.

Piper first introduced this idea in his book "Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist," which was published in 1986. In the book, Piper argues that our pursuit of

Joy Pleasure Delight Desire Enjoyment Contentment Peace of mind Happiness and Fulfillment

…in God is not only permitted in Christ but also necessary for the Christian life of faith. He is convinced that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him because our satisfaction in God reflects our recognition of His infinite worth and value.

It is essential that we find delight in God and seek our happiness in Him. When we truly love God and find joy in Him, we will obey His commandments and live in a way that glorifies Him. Moreover, God will be honored when we trust in His promises and rely on His grace. When we acknowledge our own weaknesses and limitations and turn to God for strength and help, we demonstrate our faith in Him and give Him all the glory.

Regarding the connection between honoring God and faith, just read what Peter, who knows exactly what he's talking about, writes:

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.

This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

In all this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy." (1 Peter 1:3-9)

Summary:

• all glory to God

• because there is a promise

• that we can believe

• even as our faith is tested

• until the promise is fulfilled

• and then we can enjoy eternal, glorious joy.

Starting with Abraham (Genesis 22:1-2), the Bible is full of examples of faith that have been tested in this way. This is also the case for us today, especially in the times we find ourselves in, a time of increasing institutionalized opposition, with the warning that you (we) should:

"... in no way intimidated by your opponents. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved—and that by God." (Philippians 1:28)

To strengthen your faith here are 10 verses from the New Testament that deal with the victory of persistent faith and perseverance in the face of adversity:

• Romans 5:3-4 - "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

• Romans 8:37 - "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

• Romans 12:12 - "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

• 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

• Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

• James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

• 1 Peter 1:6-7 - "In all this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

• 1 Peter 5:10 - "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

• Revelation 2:10 - "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown."

• Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."