“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
that in all things God may be glorified
“That” indicates a purpose clause. This phrase expresses the ultimate purpose of God for creation. Everything aims to give glory to God (2 Co 4:7; 1 Co 10:31; Php 2:11). Purpose gives meaning to our ministry. Because God is the resource of grace, we give him glory with the exercise of our gifts.
“Glorify” means to speak of something as being unusually fine and deserving honor – to praise, to glorify, praise. We attribute high status to God by honoring him (Jn 5:23).
“Glorified” is in the present tense. God will keep on glorifying himself through our spiritual gifts. God’s glory is the standard by which we measure the quality of our service. We serve in such a way as to give credit to God.
through Jesus Christ
“Through” indicates that Jesus is the instrument by which God glorifies himself, not us. God gives glory to himself through Christ in three doxologies: Ro 16:27; Jude 25, and here. Glory is given to Christ in Ro 16:27; Rev 1:6; 5:13; 7:10; 2 Pe 3:18; 2 Ti 4:18; He 13:21.
PRINCIPLE:
Our primary purpose in life is to manifest God’s glory.
APPLICATION:
The use of our gifts is a combination of self-possession and self-abandonment. We should exercise our gift with a sense of excellence, and yet the gift should not call attention to ourselves. The focus should be upon the Lord Jesus.
Excellence is the result of knowledge, conviction, and thorough preparation. Self-abandonment is the result of placing our confidence in God. Self-possession without self-abandonment will call attention to self. Self-possession with self-abandonment will call attention to God.
Humility is the recognition that we are what we are because of God (Ro 12:3). It is a proper evaluation of our place in the program of God’s providence, no higher, no lower. When they asked John the Baptist who he was, he said, “I am a voice.” He was no more and no less than a voice. We are who we are by God’s grace.
Do you live a life of doxology? All doxologies ascribe glory to God (Eph 3:20,21; Jude 24,25; Ga 1:23,24; Ps 29:2). Do you ascribe to God what God truly is? There is always the temptation to ascribe glory to ourselves. If we speak or carry out an excursion for the Lord, we tend to take the credit. We must not steal God’s glory.
God does not share his glory with anyone. When we are tempted to pat ourselves on the back, we tread on dangerous ground. We might break our arm patting ourselves on the back. Do not take the credit or praise.
