Admit it, we all enjoy praise. We also enjoy recognition for something we did
that impressed others and even ourselves. We like to be recognized for being
a good employee, or a good neighbor. It’s better to be recognized as being
a good citizen, especially if the mayor or the city council bestows the honor.
We like to receive
praise, reward, and bonuses for what we have done. We will gladly show off our
commendation, certificate, or trophy to all our friends and loved ones.
While it is great to be recognized for doing something special, we must also
be aware of pride. Pride is a quality where one fishes for compliments, and
sports an ego. Pride causes one to downplay others to make him/herself look
better. Pride will lead one to walk all over another or use any means necessary
to get the honors and accolades.
Turning to spiritual matters, who is to receive the glory?
Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Romans 15:6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your
body and in your spirit, which are God's.
1Peter 2:12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they
speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe,
glorify God in the day of visitation.
1Peter 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but
let him glorify God in this matter.
Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You
alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your
judgments have been manifested."
1Peter 4:11 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.
1Peter 4:14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for
the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed,
but on your part He is glorified.
It is obvious from all these passages that God is the one who is to receive
the glory. Where we must be careful is to not take the glory away from God and
cast it towards our own direction. This is easy to do. We just need to brag
about what good things we have done, and it becomes more of what I did rather
than what the Lord has done. We must be careful to make sure that God remains
the focus of our glorifying.
By Carey Scott, October 16, 2011
Return to the General Articles page
Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /