How do we glorify God? Let’s talk about this important question.
“Therefore, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
The Westminster Confession famously states, ‘The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.’ However, many people, both Christians and non-Christians, are unaware of the diverse ways we can glorify God.
Common Examples
The Bible provides numerous examples that align with our common understanding:
By shining our light among men (Matthew 5:16).
By obeying (believing) the gospel of Christ our Savior (2 Corinthians 9:13).
By speaking God’s message (1 Peter 4:11).
By suffering for Christ (1 Peter 4:14-16).
By believing God’s promises (Romans 4:20).
Uncommon Examples
These instances align with our expectations. However, there may be ways that surprise us.
For His Just Judgment of Evil
Against Others
God is not only love and mercy; He is also almighty, just, and holy. His justice will not permit evil to go unpunished. During the future tribulation, an angel from heaven will instruct God’s people to glorify Him for His judgment when He destroys the wicked city of Babylon.
“He (the angel) said (loudly), “Fear God and give Him glory, for the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water” (Revelation 14:7).
Throughout Bible history, which is also human history, God’s people have longed for the day God judges evil so His Son, Jesus, can reign in righteousness. The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk prayed:
“Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, and You cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours the man who is more righteous than he?” (Habakkuk 1:13).
Against Ourselves
It’s one thing to approve of God’s judgment of evil when God judges other’s sins against us, but it’s harder to accept God’s just sentence when we face it.
Facing Defeat
After the Jews left Egypt, they followed God’s direction to take possession of their Promised Land. However, they experienced an unexpected defeat when they attacked the city of Ai, losing to a lesser force (Joshua 7:3-5).
The Jewish leader Joshua had defeated superior forces with God’s help. Unaware of any sin in his camp he ‘tore his clothes’ and sought God’s explanation for their defeat (Joshua 7:6-9).
Under the Ban
In their previous battle against Jericho, God had placed that city and its goods ‘under the ban’ (Joshua 6:17-19). This meant that the Jews were commanded to destroy the city and its people. Instead, they were to place these treasures in “the treasury of the Lord.”
God later revealed that someone had violated that ban by taking some goods for themselves. Therefore, Ai defeated them because sin was in their midst (Joshua 7:13).
Self-Identify
The offender didn’t self-identify; the Lord revealed who kept the gold. The punishment for disobedience in this case was severe:
“He who is taken with the things dedicated for destruction shall be burned with fire, he and all who belong to him, for he broke the covenant of the Lord and has done a disgraceful action in Israel” (Joshua 7:15).
God identified the offender as Achan and his family, so Joshua confronted him. However, Achan had not admitted his guilt. By denying it, he was essentially calling God a liar.
“Then Joshua said to Achan, “O my son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and give Him praise! (Joshua 7:19).
Admit Guilt
“Achan answered Joshua and said, “Indeed, I sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I did: When I saw among the plundered goods a beautiful robe from Babylon, two hundred shekels of silver, and a gold bar weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them, so I took them” (Joshua 7:20-21).
Achan’s confession of guilt glorified God by accepting his punishment as just.
Glorifying God
This is a less discussed way to bring God glory. If we don’t admit we’re sinners who need a Savior, we’re calling God a liar. When we admit we’re sinners who deserve judgment, we bring glory to God:
“He who believes in Him (Jesus) is not condemned. But he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).
Achan was not eternally condemned for breaking the ban; he and his family faced God’s judgment in this life.
We face eternal condemnation for rejecting Jesus in this life. However, when we believe in Jesus, we transition from condemnation (being under the ban) to exoneration and salvation, thereby glorifying God. Saying we agree with our helpless estate and need Jesus’ salvation.
