The$3$Angels $Messages:$Glorifying$God

Transcription

1 Introduction Haveyoueverheardof undercoverchristians?itseemsabsurdtothinkthatonecould possiblybeatruefollowerofjesusandyetkeepthissecretfromothers.yet,onthebasisofthe waysomeprofessingchristian sliveandbehaveit sasifthisisexactlywhattheyaretryingtobe undercoverchristians ;theylookandlivejustlikeunbelieversinsomanyrespects. Oneoftheaspectsofthefirstangel severlastinggospelproclamationinrevelation14:7is aninstructionto GlorifyGod.Thisphraseisnotjustabeautifulsoundingtheory.Ratheritis deeplypracticalonadailylifestylelevel.ithastodowithchoices,morality,relationshiptoward othersandloyaltytowardgod. What is the Meaning of the First Angel s Appeal to Give Glory to God? Revelation14:7 The Greek word translated in English as glory is doxa, from whichtheenglishword doxology isderived.usuallywhentheword doxaisusedinscriptureitrefersto goodopinionconcerningone,and asresultingfromthat,praise,honour,glory. 1 In the rest of this study it will become clear that, when understood against the Old Testament background, the simple and concisephrase givehimglory,spokenbythefirstangelofrevelation 14:7 contains incredible practical instruction in regard to what God expectsofhistruefollowers. Is There a Connection Between Glorifying God and Becoming Like Jesus in Character? Exodus33:18620,34:667 John12:23628 While many people equate the glory of God with the brilliant visible radiance of His physical presence, God Himself revealed a still deepersignificanceoftheconceptof glory tomoses. God sgloryconsistsmostfundamentallyandimportantlynotin Hisvisibleradiance,butinHischaracterattributes(Ex33:18_20,34:6_ 7). One might go so far as to say that the beauty of God s visible radiance is simply the inevitable outshining of His character of love, compassion,justice,mercy,andtruth. IfthefollowersofthetrueGodaretoglorifytheirMaster,then it stands to reason that they too will seek to emulate the character exampleoftheirgodinbeingloving,compassionate,merciful,truthful, andupholdingjustice. IntheNewTestamentthereisanotherveryinterestingpassage 1 J. H. Thayer, The New Thayer s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1981), AuthoredbyPrAdrianWebster DocumentVersion1.0 websteradrian@gmail.com

2 The$3$Angels $Messages:$Glorifying$God John15:8 thatseemstosubstantiatetheconceptofgod sglorybeingfirstlyand primarilyamatterofcharacter. When Jesus was speaking to His disciples shortly before His crucifixion, attempting to prepare them for what was coming, he indicatedthathistimeofglorificationhadcome.whenonereadsthe passageitisapparentthatthehourjesusisdescribingasthehourof glorification is none other than the hour of greatest trial and self_ sacrifice. Inotherwords,Jesus gloryisnotsimplythedaywhenhewill return victoriously with the angels to fetch the saints. Rather, Jesus measured the hour of glory as that moment when His character of unselfish,self_sacrificiallovewouldbeseenmostclearlyintheoffering upofhislifeasaviolentsubstitutionarysacrificeinbehalfofhumanity (John12:23_24).Whatappearedasthehourofmostseverelossfrom an outward human perspective, was in the eyes of God the hour of most decisive and glorious victory. It is as Jesus died upon the cross that the question of whether God truly is a God of love, mercy, and justice was most clearly answered in the affirmative. In the death of JesusistheclearestportrayalofGod scharacterandthusthehourof Jesus glorification. Furthermore,itisasJesus followerscultivateandemulatethis characterofdyingtoselfforthesakeofothersthattheytoowillglorify God(John12:25_26). ItisnowonderthattheScripturaltestimonyisthatthefollower ofjesuswhoistrulyconnectedtojesuswillinevitablybearfruit(john 15:8). It would seem that the first angel of Revelation 14:6 is calling the true followers of Jesus to aim for a practical reflection of their Saviour s character a character most profoundly illustrated in the sacrifice of the cross as one of self_denial, self_sacrifice, compassion, love,mercy,justice,andtruth. How Do Other Scriptural Passages Contribute to an Understanding of What it Means to Glorify God? Romans4:20 WehavealreadylearnedfromtheBiblethattoglorifyGodisto develop a character in harmony and in similitude with that of Jesus character. Such a character would include at least the following dimensions: 1. Exercising-Faith-in-God s-promises AbrahamglorifiedGodbyplacinghistrustandbeliefin what God had promised to do for Him (Rom. 4:20). A faith relationship with God is the starting point for anyone who 2 AuthoredbyPrAdrianWebster DocumentVersion1.0 websteradrian@gmail.com

3 Ecclesiastes12:13614; 1Corinthians6:20; Exodus20:14 John17:4 desirestoglorifygod. Those who would stand in their own strength before God, in a spirit of independence and self_reliance, will never giveglorytogod. 2. Obedience-to-God s-commandments- It will be noticed that both Revelation 14:7 and Ecclesiastes12:13exhortthereaderto feargod.however,in Revelationthisphraseisfollowedby andgivehimglory while inecclesiastesitisfollowedby andkeephiscommandments. By parallel comparison of Revelation 14:7 and Ecclesiastes 12:13_14 it is evident that to give glory to God is the same as keeping His commandments. It is impossible to reflect the character of God while refusing to obey Him. The Ten Commandments are a revelation of who God is and an appealforhumanbeingstoreflecthisimage. It is important to realize that when God spoke the Ten Commandments from mount Sinai He was not setting up a legalisticrequirement.hiswordiscreativepower.whengod speaks worlds come into existence. Thus, if when God spoke the Ten Commandments to Israel from mount Sinai His words had been received in faith the entire nation would have been empoweredandtransformed. God is glorified in His people when by faith they allow His creative power to be exercised in their lives through the hearing of God s commandments. All God s biddings are His enablingsbyvirtueofthecreativepowerofhisword 3. Maintaining-Sexual-Purity The context of 1 Corinthians is a discussion on sexual immorality within the community of faith. Paul is very clear that this is an imperative for the Christian believer. In remaining sexually pure before and throughout marriage one gives glory togod(1cor.6:20). This New Testament concept should not surprise us as we have already learned that obedience to God s commandmentsisalargepartofwhatitmeanstoglorifygod. Glorifying God through sexual purity is simply a logical consequenceofobeyingtheseventhcommandment(ex20:14). 4. Responding-Positively-to-God s-call JesusbroughtglorytoHisFather snamebyfulfillingthe 3 AuthoredbyPrAdrianWebster DocumentVersion1.0 websteradrian@gmail.com

4 The$3$Angels $Messages:$Glorifying$God 1Corinthians10:31 Luke17:15616 mission He was assigned by the Father (John 17:4), so too Christian believers glorify God when they choose to follow God sspecificleadingintheirlivesi.e.god scalltomission. It is impossible to glorify God completely when like Jonah the Christian runs away from the specific mission which theyareconvictedthelordiscallingthemto. 5. Maintaining-Good-Physical-Health-&-Respecting-Other-People s- Convictions ItisaBiblicalconcepttotakecareofthebodytemple. Physicalhealthisrelatedtointellectual,social,emotional,and spiritual health. A deficiency in any one of these areas has a negative effect on the other areas. The Christian will seek to giveglorytogodbyobeyinghiswilleveninmattersofeating anddrinking. However, taken in its context, 1 Corinthians 10:31 is primarily concerned with how Christians interact with one anotherwhenitcomestothematterofpersonalconviction.it is important that a Christian act with an unselfish spirit in respecting the convictions of others even when they believe differently. One s perceived freedoms through the gospel shouldnotbeexercisedwithoutconsiderationforthespiritual experienceofthebrethren. 6. Expressing-an-Attitude-of-Gratitude The person who lives trusting in God s grace and exercising faith in the Divine promises should cultivate an attitude of gratitude. All who truly rely upon the grace and promisesofgodshouldrecognizegodthroughthankfulpraise forhismanyandvariousblessings.sadly,outofthetenlepers whowerehealedbyjesusonlyonereturnedtogivethanksto Him(Luke17:15_16). It is important not to become so infatuated with the blessingsthemselvesthatthegiveroftheblessingsisforgotten. Is There a Difference Between Obedience & Legalism? Perhapsoneofthegreatestdeceptionsthatseemtoexistinthe Christianworldtodayisthatobedienceisoftenperceivedaslegalism. ThemomentapersonmentionstheTenCommandmentsorinfersthat God expects His people to render obedience to Him this person is 4 AuthoredbyPrAdrianWebster DocumentVersion1.0 websteradrian@gmail.com

5 Romans10:4;Galatians 3:11;Ephesians2:869 John14:15,21;1John 5:3;Romans3:31; Romans8:4 labeled as a legalist. However, in Scripture, obedience and legalism aretwodifferentandmutuallyexclusiveconcepts. TheNewTestamentisabsolutelyclearthatthereisnowayto be saved through the keeping of God s law (Gal 3:11). When one standsatthefootofthecrossitisevidentthatthereisnowaytobe savedexceptthroughfaith(eph2:8_9). The New Testament texts that appear to abrogate the law in thelightofthecrossofjesusareinrealityspeakingnotagainstthelaw itselfbutagainsttheperceptionthatthelawcanbeusedasameansto attain favour and righteousness in God s eyes. The law is done away withasameanstorighteousness.itisinthissensethat Christisthe endofthelaw i.e.theendofusingthelawtoattaintoameasureof self_righteousness(rom10:4). However,thislegalisticuseoflawisnotsynonymouswiththe conceptofobedience.thenewtestamentisalsoabsolutelyclearthat obedience is a fruit of salvation (not the means of salvation). Obedience from a heart filled with love and gratitude to God for the salvation offered full and free and received by faith is the logical and spontaneousreactiononthepartofthebeliever(rom3:31). LoveforGodinspiredbyHisforgivingandsavinggraceresultsin obedience to His law(john14:15,21;1john5:3).thisobedienceis nottheresultofhumaneffortorplainwillpower.ratheritisthefruit ofbeingfilledwiththeholyspirit(rom8:4). Thisissueisperhapsbestillustratedbyarelationshipbetween parentandchild.noparentwantstheirchildtogrowupthinkingthat throughtheirgoodnessandobediencetheyearntheparentsaffection. Parentsdesirefortheirchildrentounderstandthattheylovethemno matterwhatthechildmaydo whethergoodorbad.yet,atthesame time,everyparentexpectsthatwithinthemutuallylovingrelationship of parent_child, the child will render willing obedience. This type of obedienceisnotinanywayregardedbytheparentaslegalism. The bottom line is that there is no action or behaviour that is intrinsically legalistic. Legalism is an attitude toward any action or behaviour_ an attitude that views the action/ behaviour as meriting favour with God. The difference between legalism and obedience is summarisedinthefollowingdiagram: 5 AuthoredbyPrAdrianWebster DocumentVersion1.0 websteradrian@gmail.com

6 Legalism WithoutFaith MeanstoSalvanon RelianceUponSelf Self_righteousness ForbiddenbyGod Altude Obedience ByFaith FruitofSalvanon RelianceUponHoly Spirit Christ's Righteousness AcceptedbyGod Summary & Appeal Philippians1:6,2:13 Thefirstangelofrevelationcallsforagenerationofpeoplewho donotglorifygodinsongorwordonlybutalsoindeedandlife.the plea to give glory to Him refers to a practical living out of the everlasting gospel of righteousness by faith. A true faith relationship withjesustransformsthelifevisiblyfromtheinsideout.thereisno such thing as an under cover Christian. The life of a Christian will declare that they are in a saving relationship with Jesus. This faith basedexperiencewillleadtoajoyfulattitudeofthankfulnesstogod. Theworkofsalvationandtransformationisaworkthatisdone frombeginningtoendbygod.itisourparttocooperatewithgodby a full surrender to His leading and instruction. Never at any point in thejourneyofsalvationdoesgodexpecthisfollowerstostandintheir ownstrength. Will you surrender your life now to the saving power of Jesus Christ?WillyouinviteHimtoliveoutHislifeinyou?Willyouinvite Jesustoperformaworkinyourlifethatwillcauseyoutogivegloryto Godineverypossibleway? 6 AuthoredbyPrAdrianWebster DocumentVersion1.0 websteradrian@gmail.com

7 Works&Cited& Thayer, Joseph Henry. The New Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Holy Bible - New King James Version. Iowa Falls, IA 50126: World Bible Publishers, Inc, AuthoredbyPrAdrianWebster DocumentVersion1.0 websteradrian@gmail.com