The truth is that I exist for the express purpose of bringing glory to God. It is the premier reason why I have breath in my lungs and strength in my body - that Jesus would receive the honor due His name.
So, when I consciously give myself to acts of worship, I am not doing something extraordinary, I am simply returning to the essence of what He created me to do. I am alive so that I might bring God glory; which means, to worship Him in, and through, everything. Every emotion. Every thought. Every word. Every interaction...Everything! That was, is and will always be the Divine plan for all of creation - glorify God! Give Him the preeminence in everything!
This idea is prevalent in Scripture. Here are just a few examples:
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." - Revelation 4:11
"He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together....so that in everything he might have the supremacy." - Colossians 1:15-18
"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory (worship) forever! Amen." - Romans 11:36
He created everything for the purpose of putting His glory on display.
So the question becomes for me, not "How much am I giving to God?" but rather, "How much am I withholding from Him?". All things are for Him, and so, if I am not giving Him glory through what I am doing (even in the mundane), then I am robbing God of the glory due His name.
This is not a matter of trying to be "uber" spiritual. I have become convicted about not being honorable!
Every moment is to be to His honor, glory and praise! Not just some moments, like Sunday morning, wednesday night Bible study and a few moments before we eat a meal, but every moment of my twenty-four hour day was specifically designed by God so that I might have opportunity to glorify Him.
He created both day and night, and then declared that they were both "Good".
In the New Testament, Jesus taught us that we would have to give an account for the "talents" that we have been given. But we have been given so much more than talents; we have been given a body in which to manifest His presence among the nations of the earth. We physically exist in and among other created beings so that we might testify to each other of the Glory of God.
To weighty truth is this: You and I will have to give an account for what we did with our life; how we spent every moment of our lives. That's a sobering thought!
"For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of the Messiah, so that each of us may receive what he deserves for what he has done in his body, whether good or worthless." - 2 Corinthians 5:10 (ISV)
I chose this translation because I like how the word "phaulon", often translated as "bad" or "evil", is translated here as "worthless". It is activity that God can not described as being "worthy", and "worthy" is the very foundation of why heaven adores God..."You are WORTHY O Lord".
The more I meditate on this word, the more it's ramifications sink into my mind and heart. It is a sobering word, and I am convinced that this revelation will ultimately culminate with at least one man encountering the fear of the Lord. Lord, let it be!
I want to bless you as you meditate on these thoughts, and would encourage you to dive into what the Scriptures have to say about God's glory and His zeal for His own name. If you're looking for a good place to start, try reading the book of Colossians! I'm sure you will become fascinated by what you find!
Jon
"Lord, I declare today; "We live to worship You!". This is not a declaration to our devotion, but the humble agreement with Your majesty - we exist so that You might receive all glory. And so, we bless You Lord! For You are Worthy! Not because of what you have done for us, but simply because of who You are. Reveal to us the Glory of Your Name. Amen."
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