Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 94:376 (Oct 1937)
Article: Is God’s Glory the Motive of Our Christian Service?
Author: Arthur Hedley

BSac 94:376 (Oct 37) p. 465

Is God’s Glory the Motive of Our Christian Service?

Arthur Hedley

A careful reader of the Scriptures cannot fail to be impressed with the fact that God is revealed in them as the sovereign Lord and King, the Creator of Heaven and Earth and of all life. He is the sole Creator; all other gods are the creation of the mind of man, and therefore inferior even to man himself. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the truth that there is only one God, that other gods are but lifeless, useless idols, the work of man’s hands. “Thus saith the Lord, the King of Israel, and his redeemer, the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6).

BSac 94:376 (Oct 37) p. 466

Man himself is the crown of God’s creation. He has been endowed with reason, with freedom, with dominion over the lower creation, with the power to choose between good and evil, life and death. The chief end of man is to live for the praise and glory of Him to whom he owes the gift of life and every good thing. God, however, does not force man to glorify Him-He does, however, command that he should worship and magnify Him. And men and nations must pay a heavy price for disobedience. God is jealous for His glory. “I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images” (Isaiah 42:8).

We find the men of the Bible had this one thing in common: they were consumed with a passion for God’s glory. Patriarchs, psalmists, prophets, apostles and evangelists lived for the glory of God. They not only glorified God themselves, but called on all men to follow their example. “Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name” (Psalms 29:1–2). The prophet Jeremiah was saddened when he saw the children of God glorying in their riches, their wisdom, their own power, for he saw so clearly the end of such was disaster and destruction. Ere it is too late he declares the word of God and the way of true wisdom and blessing. “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23–24).

None was more jealous for God’s glory than the Apostle Paul. Once he gloried in his own achievements, now he glories in the riches of...