1 Timothy 1:17: "To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
I’ve been wrestling with this question lately, “Do I live like God exists to honor me or like I am here to honor him?”
Honestly, I struggle with this question and I am tempted often to evaluate the worthiness of God based on my personal circumstances, experiences, and whether or not my expectations were met. I do this rather than see God as the One worthy of all honor and glory because of his very nature.
I believe one of the reasons this tension is difficult is because if God created this world, than in some way this world becomes a reflection for me of who God is. However, I also must remember that this world is in part a reflection of who we are.
Let me explain.
God created this world perfectly and asked that we respect his singular boundary of not eating from the one forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden. Yet in our arrogance and selfishness, we believed that we knew better than God and we chose our desires over God’s guidance.
God, in his kindness warned us what would happen. He warned us that if we sinned, we would invite death and destruction into this world. He warned us that perfection would be marred. We didn’t listen and now we act shocked at the brokenness of this world. It is a reflection of our rebellion, the destructiveness of sin, and the integrity of God that we are experiencing exactly what he said we would.
I forget that the brokenness of this world is due to my sin and I like being the center of attention, so I struggle with the question, “Do I live like God exists to honor me or like I am here to honor him?”
Yet, God is worthy of honor and glory. He is the eternal, immortal, invisible, supreme, and unique God (1 Tim 1:17).
How can we show him honor and glory?
There are many ways we can do this, but I believe one of the most evidential ways to show him honor and glory is through the attitude of our hearts and through our obedience to him.
Here are 6 self-examining questions to help us refine our ability to give God the honor and glory he deserves.
1. Do I believe that I needed redemption as much as any other person?
What about Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the Boston Marathon bombers? Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, who were the shooters at the Columbine massacre? Craig Wood, who is on trial for the abduction and murder of Hailey Owens? Edward Archer, who earlier this year in the name of the Islamic State shot Jesse Harnet, a Philadelphia police officer three times while Jesse was sitting in his police car? Do I believe I need redemption as much as them?
If I’m honest, the answer is often no. Yet the truth of the matter that Jesus shed no less blood for them than for me. This truth is important because it goes to the humility that we need in our relationship with God. It reminds us that no one seeks after God (Rom 3:10-12) and 2) and that “we love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19)
God owes us nothing but wrath, and yet he has offered us redemption.
2. Am I spending time with Jesus in his word and in meditation so that I might know what he wants from me?
3. Am I more concerned more focused on getting blessings from God or giving devotion to God?
4. Is there anything that I’m honoring and glorifying more than God?
5. Will I keep this question close by, “What would honor or glorify Jesus in this situation?”
6. How will I honor others made in the image of God?
God is worthy and due our honor and glory.
He is…
A God who conquered death and hell.
A God who came to save sinners.
A God who built a bridge to man instead of demanding man to build a bridge to him.
A God who is not corrupted by our touch or presence, but instead One who purifies us.
A God who drew near to us instead of playing a game of cosmic hide and seek.
A God who reveals himself to us though we cannot fully contain or comprehend his greatness.
A God who demands our all and gives us more than we could ever become own our own in return.
A God who did not demand our sons & daughters as a price of redemption like other cultures, but a God who sent his own Son on our behalf.
A God who enslaves us to freedom.
A God who gives us identity, blessing, heritage, and an inheritance.
A God who gives us belonging.
A God who calls us and empowers us to accomplish his will.
A God who is patient with us in our weakness, but not content to leave us there.
A God who shows us mercy while maintaining his justice.
A God who has allowed us to question his existence, love, and goodness, while sending his Son to die on our behalf.
This God is worthy of our worship.
1 Chronicles 29:10–13: "Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name."