Glorifying God in All Things.
By C. A. Osgood
“WHATSOEVER ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Cor. x, 31. The word glorify is defined to mean, to make glorious; to give glory to; to extol. When we apply the word to God, we know that it would be impossible to add to his real glory, or excellence, as it would be impossible to add to the splendor of the sun by any thing we can do. When we speak of glorifying God, then, we mean to give glory to him, to “declare his glory,” “to show forth his praises.” And though we can not make him really more glorious, we can, by his grace helping us, make him appear more excellent in the eyes of some; we may remove some obstructions, which hinder the light of the glory of God from shining upon some minds. Man by sin, lives and acts continually to please, gratify and glorify self. He is a “lover of pleasure more than of God.” By grace he is not to “live to himself” but to God. He is required to “present his body a living sacrifice” to God. This is most reasonable, as God is our Creator and Preserver, and from him “cometh every good gift.” We are his property. Our bodies so “fearfully and wonderfully made” are his workmanship. Our mental powers and faculties we have from him. We are his by redemption. We are feeble and constantly dependent upon him. His bounty is our only support. To do all that we do to the glory of God is to be holy; not to do it, is to sin, to disobey the first commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Self is loved, gratified, exalted more than the infinitely great and good Creator, and this is man's great idol. On this subject of glorifying God I remark, 1. That those who suffer reproach and persecution for well-doing, patiently, glorify God. When Christians “do well and suffer for it, this is acceptable to God.” “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you, on their part he is evil spoken of but on your part he is glorified.” O how do love to enemies, and patience under persecution, cause the religion of Christ, the truth of God, and God the author of this religion to shine out, in this dark world, when the children of God do not “render evil for evil, nor railing for railing but contrarywise blessing.” How glorious, then appears the power of God's grace which has rooted out the spirit of revenge from the Christian heart, and keeps his mind in perfect peace. 2. God is glorified when men risk their lives, or even lose them rather than deny his truth, or violate his commands. Our Lord spoke to Peter concerning “the death by which he should glorify God.” John xxi, 19. and Paul said “Christ shall be magnified in my body whether it be by life or death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” to the cause of God. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to break God's law by falling down and worshiping the golden image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up, and commanded to be worshiped, they honored God by a steadfast adherence to the right, and God was glorified in the result, “Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants, that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god except their own God.” Among the multitudes then assembled the faithfulness of God's servants was seen, and also his goodness and mighty power to save. So also when Daniel had been cast into the den of lions, because he continued to pray as before, although forbidden to do so by human authorities, and God preserved him, “king Darius wrote to all people, nations, and languages, I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom, men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in Heaven and earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” 3. We may glorify God, in singing and speaking to his praise. “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth” God. The powers of speech and of song are excellent, these may be used for great good in promoting God's cause. They may be abused so as to diffuse a leaven of impiety and immorality. In singing, people frequently utter “solemn words with a thoughtless tongue.” This should not be. Our words and songs of praise, should be the outburst of humble loving hearts. Then should we sing with grace in our hearts, and make “melody to the Lord.” And thus God will be glorified. 4. We are to glorify God, by recommending the truth of God by precept and example. Said Jesus “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.” Good works are good instructions and good examples. A man, if he were to be very moral, kind, and orderly, in his conduct, yet if he made no profession of love to God with his lips, it would not be known that it was the religion of Christ that shaped his conduct, and of course his light would not shine abroad. So he who teaches by word of mouth, the great truths of God, and still lives like an ungodly world, will do more hurt than good. But truthful teaching, correct living, and holy actions, are the things by which we are to “let our light shine” and thus will God be glorified. 5. We are to glorify God by acts of benevolence. Without love we are no better than “sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” Love moves us on to acts of benevolence toward the needy. God is the friend of the poor, the widow and the fatherless. If we would honor him we must seek the welfare of these. When we supply the wants of poor saints we cause thanksgiving to ascend to God. It is now as it was in the days of the apostles. “The administration of this service, not only supplieth the wants of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings to God, while by this ministration, they glorify God by your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution to them and to all men.” 2 Cor. ix, 12, 13. 6. If we would glorify God in all things, we must be strictly temperate. For every species of intemperance, tends in some respect to unfit us for the highest degree of usefulness. To glorify God continually, we need a mind clear, a body sound, a temper always unruffled, a conscience pure and tender. All these are promoted by temperance, but hindered by intemperance. How dyspeptic stomachs, aching heads, nerves unstrung, consciences blunted, minds impaired, and physical strength gone, dishonor that great Being who made us to be wise and good, useful and happy! 7. If we would glorify God aright, we must be acquainted with the times in which we live, and adapt our labors to the necessities of the times. Thus will we “serve our own age by the will of God.” These are evidently the last days. They are days of peculiar danger. Men must be warned of these perils. The stewards of God must “give to the household of God food in due season.” And all saints should “exhort one another daily, and so much the more as they see the day of the Lord approaching.” Lastly, We are required to “do all” that we do with reference “to the glory of God.” In every act, great or small, this should be the controlling purpose of the mind. In all business transactions, we should regard the interests of others as sacredly as our own. In visiting our friends or neighbors, this great object should be kept in view, the glory of the Lord; and these seasons be spent so as to do and get good, so as to recommend truth and excite those we associate with to get ready for the great day of the Lord. The avocations in life we follow should be honorable and useful, not such as have a tendency to promote intemperance or immorality, or to build up pride or vanity. Yes, in all things, whether we eat or drink, or work or talk, or travel abroad, or stay at home, or write letters, or read books, or attend to our families' wants, or attend meetings, or whatever we do, let us “do all to the glory of God.” Thus doing, and continuing to do, we shall by and by, “be with Christ, behold his glory” and “be glorified” with him.