“…that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ“
We come to the fourth and final petition that Paul prays for the Thessalonians.
that
The word “that” is a conjunction expressing purpose. The purpose of Paul’s prayer is that the Thessalonians will glorify the name of Jesus with a testimony for Him on earth.
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
The word “name” here stands for all that the name of Jesus implies: character, majesty, power, excellence. It is all that He is in His person and work, His renown.
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2: 9-11).
“Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity’” (2 Timothy 2:19).
may be glorified
The ultimate purpose for each Christian is to glorify the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christians should yield everything in their life toward this end, even their own happiness.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
in you,
We glorify the Lord Jesus in our person and work. If we build our spirits with the edification that comes from applying the principles of God’s Word to experience, there is a capacity in us that can glorify Christ.
and you in Him,
If we glorify Christ with our lives, the Lord Jesus Christ will give us glory. When the world recognizes the manifest glory of Christ as the God-man at the Second Coming, we will receive glory in association with Him. There is a glory in becoming a Christian and walking the Christian life.
according to
The words “according to” mean according to the norm and standard of. Grace is our standard for glorifying the Lord Jesus. We glorify Him by who He is and what He did. We do not glorify Him by who we are and what we do, by merit.
“…who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began…” (2 Timothy 1:9).
However, our works can glorify Him, but even these works come from God’s grace. It is only because God accomplished something in us, do others glorify God in us.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ
One definite article precedes both “God” and “Lord Jesus Christ,” implying that grace comes from both in inseparable unity. No action of ourselves will bring glory to Christ. It is only by the grace of God that we can glorify God. We can trace answered prayer back to God’s grace.
Principle:
God’s ultimate purpose for every Christian is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.
Application:
The ultimate purpose for every Christian is to hold high the glory of Jesus Christ. If we tell the world about the person and work of the Lord Jesus, we hold Him in high honor. Christians will be held in high honor as well because their holy life glorifies the Savior. The Christian holds Christ in high honor only by grace.
