Give Unto the Lord Glory and Strength

Give Unto the Lord Glory and Strength

It is only right that we give all glory and strength in our lives to the Lord. To be able to do this, we need to have a proper, fundamental understanding that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells nothing good (Rom. 7:18), and that all of us have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. Rom. 3:23.

We cannot think a single good thought or do a single good deed that pleases God unless He has worked it in us. “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.” John 3:27. If we understand this, we will become thankful, and it will become natural and easy to give glory to the Lord. It is unrighteous to receive glory for what He has given us. “For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it?” 1 Cor. 4:7.

Since there is no goodness in us of ourselves, we need to seek it wholeheartedly from Him who is willing to give us according to our desire and hunger, and according to our humility. “Ask, and it will be given to you . . . .” Matt. 7:7.

Jesus also received everything from His heavenly Father and therefore gave Him all the glory. In John 5:41 He says, “I do not receive honor from men.” And in verse 44 He says, “How can you believe, who receive honor from one anther, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?” All vain honor that others give us and we give ourselves is pure vanity and ceases at the grave (and as a rule, long before that as the body’s corruption becomes more and more evident).

“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.” John 7:18. Here we can see that the one who seeks his own glory is unrighteous, but the one who seeks God’s glory is truthful.

In John 12:24-26 Jesus teaches us how we can bear much fruit and be honored by God. The way to this is to go the way of the grain of wheat that dies, with all of our own, and to become His humble servants. “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” This honor will be great and eternal! He gives us the Son and all things with Him. Rom. 8:32. Jesus will share His strength and glory with us to the degree that we follow Him and give Him glory and strength. Thus we become heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Rom. 8:17.

Peter said to Jesus: “‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’” Matt. 19:27-28.

Jesus would like nothing better than to share everything with us and to equip us for our high calling by giving us all things that pertain to life and godliness. He gives and gives, all according to how much we can receive. He wants to give us abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness so that we can reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:17. He wants to make us complete in every good work. Heb. 13:21. He who is the Lord of peace Himself will always give us peace in every situation. 2 Thess. 3:16. It is granted to the bride to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright. Rev. 19:8. If we acknowledge our lack of wisdom, He is willing to give us wisdom. Jas. 1:5. Paul had become a steward of the mysteries of Christ according to the gift of the grace of God. Eph. 3:2-8.

“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.” 1 Pet. 4:11.

Everything we say and do in the church should be to the glory of God. He is the One who works all in all. The rich and talented in this world have no advantage here. There is one gate and one way for all of us, and only the humble receive more and more.

“Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: ‘You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.’” Rev. 4:9-11.