To Whom Be The Glory?
Many times we forget who is the author and sustainer of all that exists. The author of our life and of our talents. The author and consummator of the faith —Christ Jesus.
We come to think that we are the important ones. Truly, society, culture and this “postmodern age” bombard us with the idea that we are the center of everything and that outside of oneself, the importance of other people and of any other being (God himself) is relative, because nothing matters more than satisfying one's own needs of pleasure and well-being here and now.
And so we go through life, as the center of the universe, individuals and mankind as a whole, dedicating ourselves to giving first place to man and paying homage, and honor, and glory to self and to those we admire.
After a bit of time, we feel we can achieve anything by our own means. In fact, the entire “Self-Help” industry pushes us to believe that by ourselves, we can achieve whatever we set our minds to. It is sad that today many churches have also taken up this “philosophy” and preach from their pulpits that we can be whatever we want to be. That all we have to do is believe and have faith in oneself in order to get the divine forces working towards our benefit so that we reach our goals.
We become the main protagonists, if not the only, and we leave out Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit; we don't need them anymore.
It would do us good to remember from time to time, some of the things the Bible says about man:
"Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow." (Psalm 144:4 NASB)
"For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place acknowledges it no longer." (Psalm 103:14-16 NASB)
"On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it?" (Romans 9:20 NASB)
The protagonist, the true author is not you nor I, but God. He is the author of all things. Remember?
"And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation" (Hebrews 5:9 NASB)
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB)
I want to end with this thought: Everything is about God; he deserves all the credit. He deserves all the honor and all the glory today and forever.
There is a song in Spanish, written by Marcos Vidal, a Spanish Pastor that talks about this subject. Let me share the lyrics with you. As you read, I encourage you to meditate on 1 Peter 4:11.
"To You Be the Glory"
by Marcos Vidal
"Where would we be if You had not made the sun?
Where would we be without light or heat?
We're fragile creatures in Your world unequaled
Where are we going if Your hand doesn't stop the storm?
And even so we can forget Your love,
raising ourselves up with pride and no reason.
I want to give with my song what few give You anymore:
to You be the glory, to You alone the honor [above].
We are so smart in our own opinion,
yet so small before You, oh Lord.
You see our limitations that make us fail
and You slowly restore us and make the sun shine again
and even though sometimes we pretend in our imagination
to be the great protagonist of the act
ignoring Your presence, Your care and Your love
To You be the glory, to You alone the honor [above].
In my own life I see the footprint of Your love
that has guided me moment by moment, oh Lord.
I don't want to be so foolish as to forget the great pain
You suffered for my guilt, offering me forgiveness
and if I ever raise myself with pretension and pride
trying to be my own author,
make me see Your wounded body and shame me Lord,
To you be the glory, to You alone the honor [above].
Make us see Your wounded body and shame us Lord,
To you be the glory, to You alone the honor [above]."
Copyright © 2008-2016 Ministerios Jesús 24x7®.
Original Publication at: http://jesus24x7.blogspot.mx/2008/09/la-gloria-quin.html
Translator: Penn A. Tomassetti, BCTA
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