What’s it all about? – Part 2
As my friend was laid to rest, the sound system belted out Sinatra’s I Did It My Way, and as I listened to the self-aggrandizing lyrics I couldn’t help but think “This is the saddest part of all.” Sad but not unexpected. John had good reason to warn against “the boastful pride of life” (1 Jn 2:16). Our first parents believed an ego-massaging lie (you will be like God/gods [Gen 3:5]) and their post-flood descendants succumbed to the same temptation when they resolved to make a name for themselves instead of obeying God (Gen 11:4). Closer to our own time the Victorian poet Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837 – 1909) probably expressed the view of many modern secularists when he wrote, “Glory to man in the highest, for he is the master of things” (A Song in Time of Order).
It seems that the impulse to self-glorification is deeply ingrained in human nature and therein lies a problem because this impulse can blind us to the truth that the ultimate goal of creation is the manifestation of God’s glory. Of course, man cannot add to God’s glory or detract from it but he can, like David, “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name” (Psa 29:2 and see 96:8). Clearly David understood that the nation of Israel was “created for … (Jehovah’s) glory” (Isa 43:7). In the New Testament Paul explains that salvation of the saints has as its ultimate goal the ascription of praise to God for His glorious grace (Eph 1:6). Elsewhere the apostle urges his brethren to “do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31) reminding us of Jesus words on the Mount:
Mat 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
In His address to His Father in the high priestly prayer, Jesus says: “I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do” (Jn 17:4). The Son requests that the Father “glorify (the) Son” so that the Son may glorify Him (Jn 17:1). Since the Father and the Son are one (Jn 10:30) Jesus can speak of the glory which He had with the Father “before the world was” (Jn 17:5).
Oprah’s advice resonates with many in our self-obsessed society: “Only make decisions that support your self-image, self-esteem, and self-worth.” Scripture says to resolve to glorify God in all you think do and say.
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