The glory of God – What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible speaks of the glory of God in several ways. Creation itself testifies to God’s glory (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20). This includes humankind, who is made in God’s image; when we reflect Him to the world through good works, He is glorified (Matthew 5:16). Scripture also teaches that God’s glory is manifested by the greatness of who He is, i.e., His splendor in Heaven, where the angels proclaim His glory (Isaiah 6:1-3; Luke 2:13-14). The book of Revelation speaks of the glory of God filling the sanctuary, coming with the new Jerusalem and lighting the heavenly city (Revelation 21:10–11). The core of Christianity is that every person has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, or His perfection (Romans 3:23), and it is only by His grace through Christ that we are redeemed (Romans 3:23-24).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• God’s glory is seen in His creation. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
• Isaiah saw a vision of God, with seraphim around Him, singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3). When Isaiah saw this vision of God’s glory, he realized his own sinfulness by contrast, exclaiming, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus’ miracles were directly meant to bring glory to God, such as when He gave a blind man sight and when He resurrected Lazarus (John 9:3, 11:4,40).
• Stephen looked into heaven just before his death and saw the glory of God (Acts 7:55).
• In their sin, humankind could never stand before the holy God–if not for Christ: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).
• The glory of God is His greatness. (Romans 5:2)
• As God’s image bearers and His children, we’re to reflect Him to the world; in doing so, we give glory to God. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
• The temple in Heaven, during John’s vision, is filled with the glory of God (Revelation 15:8).
• John also speaks of the New Jerusalem, a “city [that] has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:21-23)

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Moses pleaded to see it, Isaiah was awestruck by it, and John envisioned a future paradise filled with it. The glory of God is so powerful and beautiful that Christians spend their whole lives pointing people to it.

Through our actions, we can glorify God and share His glory with others. Each time we share the Gospel with others, even those who scorn us, we glorify God. When we love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, we glorify God. When we find joy in God despite the pain of illness, loss, and the other trials of a broken world, we glorify God. And we look forward to witnessing His full glory one day in Heaven.

UNDERSTAND

• The glory of God is manifested in His creation.
• Believers point to God’s glory in how we show our love of Him to others.
• One day, all believers will be bathed in the light of God’s glory.

REFLECT

• How do you seek to glorify God in your everyday life?
• What are some of your favorite parts of creation that glorify God?
• How does your awareness of God’s glory help you appreciate His grace in your life?

ENGAGE

• How can believers point others to glorify God?
• How can we point to creation as evidence of God’s glory when sharing the gospel with others?
• How can we, as believers, more intentionally reflect God’s glory in ordinary parts of life like work, relationships, and hardship?