The overarching command for the Christian life is found in the conclusion to the apostle Paul’s instructions regarding the Corinthian church conflict over meat sacrificed to idols. While mature Christians understood that idols were nothing, they were called to limit their own freedom for the sake of the weak to build them up and prioritize the honor of the Lord. We should view our resolutions not as temporary goals but as ongoing eternal resolutions. Whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, we are commanded to do all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). To live for anything else is sin, for sin is fundamentally failing to live for the glory of God.
The glory of God refers to His splendor, reputation, and infinite perfection manifested visibly. In Hebrew, the word Kavod (כָּבוֹד) signifies weight or worth, while the Greek doxa (δόξα) implies honor and brilliance. God is glorious by nature regardless of whether anyone recognizes it. In the Old Testament, the departure of God’s glory was viewed as a spiritual catastrophe, exemplified by the woman who named her son Ichabod because the ark of the covenant was captured (1 Samuel 4:21). We cannot truly live without the presence of Immanuel, which means God with us.
Today’s church often feels boring or powerless because it has lost interest in seeking the glory of God while remaining too busy with the world. The glory of God is actually a threat to the self-seeking nature of fallen man. In the scriptures, whenever people encountered the true glory of God, they feared they would perish. When the apostle John saw the glorified Jesus, he fell at His feet as though he were dead (Revelation 1:17). We also see the danger of failing to give God praise in the account of Herod, who was struck down because he did not give glory to God (Acts 12:21-23).
We glorify God even in the smallest actions, such as receiving a cup of coffee with thanksgiving and gratitude. True contentment acknowledges that God is enough, recognizing that He provides the strength and the desire even for simple daily pleasures. This practice extends to our suffering as well. Glorifying God in pain does not mean calling evil good or suppressing our tears. Instead, it means trusting Him even when He feels silent (Job 13:15) and knowing His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Like Jesus in Gethsemane, we must submit our will to the Father (Luke 22:42). When we display Christlike character under pressure, we witness to the world that Christ is enough.
Jesus is the ultimate model of a life lived for God’s glory, as He did nothing by Himself but lived in total dependence on the Father (John 5:19). He revealed the Father perfectly (John 1:18) and sought only the Father’s will (John 4:34). Our salvation is designed so that Jesus alone is glorified, for we are saved by grace and not by our own works (Ephesians 2:8-9). True believers will have a continual desire to be holy and separate for Christ. They would abide in Christ and love Christ for He is with them and know they are loved by Him (John 14:23). To love Him is to obey His word, as the Father is glorified when we bear much fruit (John 15:8).
We cannot fulfill this command through self-discipline, which often glorifies the self and leads to legalism. Instead, we must live in total dependence on the Word and the Holy Spirit. Even Jesus offered prayers with fervent cries and tears (Hebrews 5:7). The modern church has lost its tears, so we must cry out in repentance over our sins and weaknesses. By abiding in Christ and surrendering daily, we align ourselves with His Word and allow God to do what pleases Him through us.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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