Category Archives: Self-promotion

How Do We Bring God Glory?

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Into Christ’s Likeness

We often talk about living a life that glorifies God. But what does that look like? How do we flesh that out? According to the Apostle Peter, we bring God glory in our lives as we yield to His Spirit’s work to transform us into Christ’s likeness. He says: “Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever.”—1 Peter 4:10–11.

Bringing God Glory

Peter seems to make three points about bringing God glory. First, God’s purpose for “gifting” us is to bring glory to Himself. Second, our motive, as we use our gifts, should be to glorify God with them. And finally, God’s method is to empower our gifts by His Spirit, so He gets the ultimate glory as they are being used. So, it is ultimately God’s purpose to bring glory to Himself as we use the gifts He has given us. Now, while the immediate interpretation of the “gifts” here is related to the “gifts of the Spirit,” in the broader context it could be argued that Peter means for us to include our talents, abilities, and anything else that makes us uniquely “us.” God has given you everything that makes you you—all your gifts, talents, abilities, personality, outward appearance, and more.

All You Have Is For His Glory

And what Peter seems to be saying is that He has given you all of that for Him—for His glory. None of these things that are unique to us as individuals are to be used selfishly, nor do we have any reason to be arrogant or prideful about any of it, since it has all been given to us by our gracious God. Everyone has been gifted by God—some more, some less—“according to the varied grace of God.” Then he offers two examples—of “speaking” and “serving”—and explains how these gifts are to be used only in such a way “that God may be glorified… to Him belong the glory and the power” (v. 11). God has purposely and intentionally given us all the “stuff” that makes us who we are so that we would bring Him glory as we use it—not for our own glory. Glory belongs to God alone, Peter says.

Jesus Emptied Himself

I’m not very much of a handyman, but I do have a great deal of appreciation for those men and women who are. And I’ve found that most handy people have specialized “tools” for certain repairs. There is a specific tool for everything. That’s how God purposes to use us. He has made us all different, with our own unique gifts, personalities, and talents. We are each a special tool in God’s toolbox, and He intends to use us in each specific situation to bring Himself greater glory. But God is only glorified as we use our gifts out of a motivation to see Him glorified: “Use it,” Peter says, “as good managers of the varied grace of God” (v. 10). There is an expectation of intentionality. Don’t just float through life living off all the good gifts God has blessed you with. Manage them well, so as to bring God glory in everything you do.


 

Daniel: From Pride To Praise

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Vacation Time! My Next Post Is Scheduled For September 20th

(Note: This is the 13th in a series of posts on Daniel’s life)

Taking Personal Credit

What are the things in your life that people tend to notice & compliment you over? Is it your intelligence? Or, maybe you’re an attractive person; so, people notice your good looks! Or, is it your wardrobe? Are you a snappy dresser? Maybe it’s your wit! How clever you are! Or, do people compliment you for your talents? Maybe you’re a gifted musician, artist, or athlete! Perhaps people praise you for your work ethic; or, for your leadership abilities. Maybe it’s your house, your car; or, some other material thing that draws a compliment! How do you respond? Do you take credit personally when someone compliments you? Do you accept the glory & praise for those things because you think you deserve it?

Bragging And Self-Promotion

Perhaps there are things about you that you wish people would notice & offer you a compliment for! Maybe you feel inclined to kind of point out, to others, your superior talents or abilities— do a little bragging and self-promotion! When I look back at my earlier life I see many times where I was filled with pride! Many times where I bragged about myself! Those memories bring me shame because I attempted to steal glory that wasn’t mine! When I was complimented for something, I accepted the glory & praise that should be directed to God alone! I know that as long as I live in this sin-plagued body I’ll be tempted, by my flesh & depravity, to think prideful thoughts about myself!

Offering Praise To God Alone

Oh how I give praise to God for the work He’s done in me— and, continues to do— through His Spirit! He quickly points out those times I begin to swell up with pride; and, He helps me to confess it for the sin that it is & to redirect all praise to Him! Scripture often contrasts God’s judgment toward those individuals who allow pride to rule their lives with the blessings He provides to those who humble themselves before Him & others! Pride is our attempt to steal glory from God! Any time we take credit for anything, that’s our prideful attempt to steal God’s glory! “What do you have that you’ve not been given?” Paul asks the Church of Corinth (1 Cor. 4:7).  Humble yourself; or, God will do it for you! And it’s much less severe or painful if we choose to humble ourselves before Him; rather than face His judgment against our pride!

Failure Can Be A Gift

King Nebuchadnezzar had been warned, by Daniel, to give God the glory! But, one day, as he walked on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, he said to himself: “Is this not Babylon the Great that I have built by my vast power to be a royal residence & to display my majestic glory?” (Daniel 4:30) It wasn’t that the king didn’t build Babylon; or that he didn’t have power. His error was taking credit for those things. The verses that follow declare that a voice came from heaven, while those words were still in the King’s mouth, “…the kingdom has departed from you. You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals…until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men…” God commands us to humble ourselves; and, we can do it the easy way by confession & repentance; or, we can do it the hard way & force God’s hand— that’s not recommended!  Make no mistake! “Every knee will bow & every tongue will confess” that Jesus is Lord & we are NOT!