InChristAlone
Thursday, August 18, 2005
What to Glory In
If we were created by God and for God, what do we have to glory in but God and His fulfilling work on the Cross?
The world's mentality today is glorying in one's own success. A continual process of trying to establish oneself in this "nation of opportunity." A pat on the back for pushing oneself to higher standards and world recognition. This is a hopeless aim. Man seems to be in pursuit of something he can never attain. Why? Because without God this is impossible.
The first question and answer of the Shorter Catechism sums it all up:
What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.
The N.T. itself teaches that the chief end of the love of God and the work of Christ is to promote God's glory. This was Christ's motivation on this earth.
John 17:4
"I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given me to do."
(New KJV)
Our salvation is for His glory. That we might glory in the grace and reconciliation to God by Jesus' death on the Cross.
Ephesians 1:5-6
"Having predestinated us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,"
"To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." (New KJV)
The glory of God should be the determining factor in a Christian's life.
II Corinthians 3:18
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (KJV)
Notes from the Macarthur Study Bible on the previous verse:
"As they gaze at the glory of the Lord, believers are continually being transformed into Christlikeness. The ultimate goal of the believer is to be like Christ and by continually focusing on Him the Spirit transforms the believer more and more into His image."
Summing all of these thoughts up, we read Galatians 6:14
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (KJV)
It is possible for believers to glory in God and the Cross of Christ because through the work on the Cross, the world is spiritually dead to them and they to the world. The hope and fulfilling pursuit is the glory of God and the marvelous process of being transformed into His likeness! All glory and honor and praise is due His name!
The world's mentality today is glorying in one's own success. A continual process of trying to establish oneself in this "nation of opportunity." A pat on the back for pushing oneself to higher standards and world recognition. This is a hopeless aim. Man seems to be in pursuit of something he can never attain. Why? Because without God this is impossible.
The first question and answer of the Shorter Catechism sums it all up:
What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.
The N.T. itself teaches that the chief end of the love of God and the work of Christ is to promote God's glory. This was Christ's motivation on this earth.
John 17:4
"I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given me to do."
(New KJV)
Our salvation is for His glory. That we might glory in the grace and reconciliation to God by Jesus' death on the Cross.
Ephesians 1:5-6
"Having predestinated us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,"
"To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." (New KJV)
The glory of God should be the determining factor in a Christian's life.
II Corinthians 3:18
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (KJV)
Notes from the Macarthur Study Bible on the previous verse:
"As they gaze at the glory of the Lord, believers are continually being transformed into Christlikeness. The ultimate goal of the believer is to be like Christ and by continually focusing on Him the Spirit transforms the believer more and more into His image."
Summing all of these thoughts up, we read Galatians 6:14
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (KJV)
It is possible for believers to glory in God and the Cross of Christ because through the work on the Cross, the world is spiritually dead to them and they to the world. The hope and fulfilling pursuit is the glory of God and the marvelous process of being transformed into His likeness! All glory and honor and praise is due His name!
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
By Him and For Him
What are we here for? Do we exist to fulfill our own pleasures and desires? The answer to this last question is NO!
Colossians 1:16
"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." (KJV)
We were created by God and we exist for God. All for His glory and none of our own. Why is man consumed by his own selfish ambitions? Jesus Christ is not the Lord of his life.
Those of you who hold these beliefs feel free to comment and share. We need to be working together to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ. How great is our God!
Here for Him---Heather Cheek
Colossians 1:16
"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." (KJV)
We were created by God and we exist for God. All for His glory and none of our own. Why is man consumed by his own selfish ambitions? Jesus Christ is not the Lord of his life.
Those of you who hold these beliefs feel free to comment and share. We need to be working together to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ. How great is our God!
Here for Him---Heather Cheek
