What is this about ‘glorifying God’? Here is what some people think and it actually makes sense because they don’t see the big picture of what God is doing and that the would do the same thing if they did. They think things like, “Does He have some big ego that needs attention or something? Besides, look at all the strife and evil He is allowing.”
Summary:
If you had access to play under the best coach in your sport, you would listen to and trust all they tell you even though you may not understand the “why” yet. You would be “glorifying” the ability of that coach to teach you the things you need to be better at your sport. God has what we need to have a better life both now and in eternity if we will only listen and trust. Yes, we know that some Christians do not do a good job at listening and trusting. That is the same as some athletes not listening to and trusting a great coach.
A little more: A word picture to help:
If you have ever heard about a really great coach, a successful business leader, a well-respected doctor, etc., you will acknowledge that they have very special skills you don’t have. You know that if you ever really wanted to consult with someone in their field, you would want to talk to them. There are two things about them: 1) They have very special skills, and 2) They use those special skills to benefit others. If they never put their skills into practice, those skills really would have limited benefit to our world. But when they do, people want to understand because they know they will benefit if they listen. “Wise and loving” parents, with emphasis on wise and loving, are similar and are an awesome umbrella for a child to be under. Those parents have skills that make their children, if they are wise, want to listen to them. People want to hear about insights from parents that have done a very good job at raising their children because they know they will benefit. Take a step up from these great leaders or parents and you have our God. God calls Himself our Father so that we can more easily understand He loves to grow us.
Validation by others:
Even non-Christian studies show that Biblical principles are best. A 75+ year Harvard study on happiness found wholesome relationships is the top factor in achieving happiness in life. Not surprising since this is the point of God’s second greatest commandment to love others as much as ourselves and that is not limited to family and friends. Other studies have shown that things like expressing thankfulness and being faithful give us much more peace and purpose in life. God gave us the 10 commandments for our own well being. Who would argue with it is better to not murder, steal, commit adultery or bear false witness. Interestingly and truthfully enough, God takes these even further for our own good. He says that hating someone is like murdering them and we know that carrying hate in our lives likely hurts us more than them. He says that lusting over someone or something is like committing adultery or stealing because it causes you to become dissatisfied with what you have.
Note that some people don’t understand why the mess we see around us in this world is actually an important part of a good plan. They just don’t understand why a loving a powerful God would allow it. Once you understand you do the same thing, you will begin to understand why we should “glorify” God. If you have not read our website FAQ word picture of the 6-year-old, do that next as it has helped people understand why they agree that God should allow bad things to happen. This word picture is also in a video on our YouTube site titled “Why does God let bad things happen?” Once we trust and obey the guidance of great coaches, business leaders, doctors, parents and God, and see the results, then things start to make sense.
There are two reasons to “glorify God”:
- First, God is more powerful, loving and wise than we can begin to understand. God designed us and knows what is best for us. In the Bible, it says that man’s wisdom is foolishness compared to God’s. That is because man’s wisdom lacks the insight and purpose that only God can provide. Once you have come to understand it, you will not want to rely on your own “wisdom”.
- Second, God’s love and wisdom are directed towards us. Like a great leader or parent, God is there waiting to guide us to something far better than we would have achieved on our own. But the key is if we are trusting and obeying. Just as a loving parent or leader is growing people by letting them make mistakes when they don’t listen and growing them when they do listen, our God is not forcing Himself on us. He will let you stumble on that rock or guide you around it depending on what is best for you and if you are listening.
Extra note:
A note on these capabilities of God and what we see in this world. There are Christians that are obviously not listening to God and there are people that reject God because they want something He says is not good for them. You don’t judge medicine by the doctor or vehicles by the mechanic. You know there are good, mediocre and bad mechanics and doctors. If you run across a poor or mediocre one, you search until you find the right one. Similarly, you need to judge God on what He actually says, not what Christians say and do. And, like good mechanics and doctors, there are good Christians out there, but you might have to do some searching to find them. You will know them if they love others in actions and they get their truth framework from the Bible instead of from people.
Summary:
God is more loving and wise than you can know. He created the world in all its complexity for a purpose. God knows what you need and can give you peace, purpose and personal satisfaction that this world cannot otherwise understand. Some people find some happiness in their pursuits, but it always needs to be constantly re-filled with more. For those that truly find Him, they understand why He said that those that follow Him will not thirst again. And that is a reason to glorify Him.
Read FAQ “The 6-year-old picture story”
Read FAQ “The Big Picture of What God is Doing”
Back to FAQs
Bible references:
- 1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
- Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.