Last week, my pastor took a few minute break from bible study to ask us, "How do we glorify God?"
I think that we do this in many ways.
As a Christian, whether we like it or not, we are always on mission. People are always looking to us, and analyzing our lives and our values.
One way we honor God is in the way we communicate. Having restraint, discipline, and self-control in what we choose to say, and the tone we choose to use goes a long way. So does our controlling our anger and maintaining patience. Remaining calm and kind even when others are not is going to help people take notice. This does not mean you have to be a door mat. But be respectful, and courteous. Try not to let frustration and anger get the best of you. Refrain from foul language. And by all means, don't use Jesus' name as a curse word.
1 Peter 1:15-16 KJV
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
The lifestyle we live is another way we give God glory. We are called by God to be His peculiar people. Why peculiar? The ways of the world are completely different than God's values and commandments, which the world does not understand. The world lives in the flesh, while a true Christian lives in the Spirit. We are called to be in the world but not of the world. We are called to be set apart, different, and holy. It is God who justifies us, not the world.
Galatians 5:19-25 KJV
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Praise is a third way we glorify God. Honoring and admitting the ways that He has been working in our lives and the things that He has done for us is merely giving Him the credit that He is due. Knowing and admitting the He is fully in control builds faith and trust in our relationship with Jesus.
Worship is also a way in which we honor God, and I think it goes hand in hand with praise. Honoring God and worshipping Him is an extremely important aspect of our faith. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines worship as:
1 The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object.
2 The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed.
3 Ardent admiration or love; adoration.
It's no coincidence, I think, that the very first commandment given to Moses by God was to love God with all one's heart, soul, and might.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 KJV
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
God desires our love, admiration, praise, and worship, and He deserves it. It is by His power and pleasure that we were created and that we are here.
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