My hope = God's glory

So in the previous 4 posts I’ve established that (according to one source) there are 5 primary ways we reflect God’s glory.

1. In our worship
2. As we are transformed
3. As we love others
4. As we serve others
5. As we testify to others

I’ve also established that I am hopelessly incapable of effectively carrying these things out in my life on a regular basis or in a meaningful way. However, I claim that although I cannot do these things, I still have hope. Where does that hope lie? It lies in my relationship with Jesus Christ.

The simple fact is that apart from Christ none of us can please God. The Bible says that “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). It also says that in God’s sight “our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). God knows that on our own, we are hopelessly bankrupt and incapable of righteous acts, and thus incapable of bringing him glory, for it is through our good deeds (specifically the 5 types of deeds listed above) that we direct people to God (see Matthew 5:16).

But if we are in relationship with Christ, then we have the secret weapon! What is the secret you ask, well the Bible says that “this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing in his glory” (Colossians 1:27, emphasis added). You see we can share in God’s glory, reflecting it to those around us because “God is with us” (Matthew 1:23).

Paul put it this way, “…I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God…” (Galatians 2:20).

I have come to believe… No, I have come to base all my beliefs on the idea that Christ lives in me, and that by his indwelling Spirit, I can be transformed (Romans 12:2). If you truly knew me now, and truly knew me before I met Christ, this transformation alone would be enough for you to see the glory of God. But since you aren’t privileged to have that point of view, I am trusting that in the transformation process you will be able to see me worship, testify, serve, and even love others as the Spirit so enables.

“But eagerly desire the greater [spiritual] gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31).