EXEMPLIFY THE GLORY OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE

27th JULY 2020

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

One very important aspect of creation is the fact that we are God’s emanations, having His essence and soul in us. God has given us everything we need not just to adapt to living on earth, but also to be co-workers with Him in His vineyard. This means that on each passing moment of our lives, we must do the things that are pleasing to God. The scripture recorded that everything God created was good. However, due to man’s inhumanity to man, as well as a continuous plundering and destruction of our natural habitat, we do not seem to enjoy the harmony and peace that God wants for us. This overall lapse is responsible for widespread disease, ignorance, and poverty in our world today. This devotional is a wakeup call for you to rediscover your role in the collective mission of the human race. In the natural scheme of things, everyone is a co-worker with God in His vineyard. We are individually and collectively expected to preserve and multiply what God has created for us on earth. Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 thus:

“We are workers together with God, so we beg you: Do not let the grace that you received from God be for nothing. God says,

‘At the right time, I heard your prayers.
    On the day of salvation, I helped you.’

I tell you that the “right time” is now, and the “day of salvation” is now”

Therefore, every effort on your part to help redirect the course of things towards perfection is counted as significant in the natural scheme of things. Your good efforts are never in vain; it’s a great addition, either towards the work of regeneration of the human spirit or in the reconstruction of our physical environment. For every contribution you make therefore, there is a reward (1 Corinthians 3:8-10) As we continuously serve the purpose of God on earth, we must give thanks to God as well for the opportunity to serve in His vineyard. With thanksgiving, comes praises to God, for it is not by our might and strength, but by the spirit of God. Today’s word tells us that God created us for his glory; that is, to serve His purpose on earth through working with Him in a manner that is pleasing to Him alone. In so doing, we also will win praises for God. To live for the glory of God is to glorify God in all ways. This we can do regularly through championing laudable causes or giving willingly of our resources and time to serve the need of others. For so many reasons, some persons do not like to make a sacrifice for the sake of blessing others. Also, some have expressed fears about giving or making a sacrifice for the sake of others. The reason being that, they would themselves become poorer if they do so. This is a wrong belief. Giving is a Godly act notwithstanding who is receiving. Also, there are those who, though want to make a sacrifice, would prefer to take the glory for themselves, instead of giving God the glory. This is also wrong. Everything we do must be done for His glory in order for God to be pleased with us and to reward us bountifully. We must, therefore, strive to bring glory to God through an exemplary life of compassion and good deeds, so that men will see our life and give God the glory instead. Consequently, glorifying God is not merely an act of worship on Sunday. It is a peculiar kind of style in service and sacrifice which is pleasing to God alone. When we do that, we are richly blessed in return, while the glory of God continues to shine through us into all things.

  PRAYER

 Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I give you glory, and I declare your praises even in the coastlands of the sea. Lord Jesus, equip me in every good work so I can do the will of the Father, and to work in the way pleasing to Him alone.  Take all the glory, forever and forever. AMEN

FURTHER READING: Luke 6:27-33; Isaiah 49:8