What Does It Mean To Glorify God?
In Christian circles, we are told that we should glorify God. But what does that mean?
In the Old Testament, “glory” carries the idea of greatness or splendor. In the New Testament, “glory” means “honor, praise, and worship.”
Both testaments teach that God has all glory, and yet we are also instructed in both testaments to glorify God. If God is already glorified, why and how do we do that?
From our human perspective, to glorify God is to point out or show His glory to others, that others may see how great and how good He is.
So how do we do that? I could give a list of answers here, but let me just focus on one way in Scripture that the Apostle Paul shares — “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:5-7).
One major way we glorify God is in the way we get along with, love, and care for each other. Inversely, one way we dishonor God is by being self-centered and mistreating one another.
So we glorify God by loving each other. Jesus said we show the world that we follow Him by our love for each other. We foster our vertical relationship partly by making the most of our horizontal relationships. If you are harsh, short-tempered, judgmental, impatient, or vengeful, based on Scripture you are not glorifying God. And what’s sad is when people who claim to be Christian treat others that way, they give the false impression that their God is that way. Not only is God not glorified; He’s being misrepresented. And I think He takes that seriously.
This gives insight to these words from Paul: “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 NLT).
So…are you glorifying God? Do the people you interact with — your spouse, friends, family, and co-workers — see the goodness and greatness of God by the way you treat them, the way you talk, and how you live?