Is living one's life doing only things that are honoring to God possible?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Scripture indicates that those who accept Christ as Savior are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13–14). The apostle Peter writes that God “has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (see 2 Peter 1:3–4), making it possible for us to resist willful and ongoing sin and glorify God (see 2 Peter 1:5–11). In fact, the Bible teaches that we can glorify God in everything from mundane actions (1 Corinthians 10:31) to witnessing to others about Christ (Matthew 28:18–20; John 15:8). But Scripture also indicates that humankind inherited sin from Adam (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12) and that sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2; Ephesians 2:12–13). Because of this, we still struggle with sin while we are in the flesh (Romans 7:18; Galatians 5:17). For that reason alone, it is impossible to always and only honor God in all we do. Our goal should be to glorify the Lord in everything we do, say, and think, but because we’re still in the flesh, at some point in our life, when we sin in thought or deed, we won’t be glorifying God. Even so, Scripture shows that though humankind sins while in the flesh, true believers will not remain in willful disobedience to God (Romans 6:1–2; 1 John 1:8—2:6; 3:6). And one day, in eternity, we will no longer struggle with sin and will glorify God forever (Revelation 7:9–10; 22:3–5).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Certainly, when David had an adulterous affair with Bathsheba and arranged to have her husband murdered, he wasn’t glorifying God (2 Samuel 11). David later acknowledged his innate sinfulness: “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5).
• Solomon recognized the pervasiveness of sin in humankind. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says, “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” Because of this, we can’t always honor God, though that should, nonetheless, be our goal.
• Jeremiah described the human heart as “deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Even our thoughts are not always honoring to God because our heart is bent toward sin.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (emphasis added). Since we all sin—whether in thought or in deed—and since sin does not glorify God, it is impossible to live an entire life only honoring God.
• All humankind inherited sin from Adam (Romans 5:12). We are bound to sin at some point in our life, and when we do, that isn’t honoring to God.
• First John 1:8 says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” We cannot participate in sin while simultaneously glorifying God; while sinning, we are not honoring God.
• We are “new creations” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11). This means that we are capable of resisting sin, especially since God “provide[s] the way of escape” from temptation (1 Corinthian 10:13). But this doesn’t mean that we won’t struggle with sin; even sinful thoughts (Matthew 5:28) do not glorify God.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

All people sin, including Christians. But true Christians should still strive to honor God in all we do (1 Corinthians 10:31; Hebrews 12:3–17; 2 Peter 3:8–13). Jesus said we’re to be the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Though sometimes our light is dimmed by sin, we should still be pointing nonbelievers to the truth and life of Christ (John 14:6). First John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Later, John points out that “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. … God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:15–16). Jesus told His disciples that they would be recognized by their love (John 13:34–35; cf. 1 John 4:7–12). As we walk in God’s light and His love, speaking truth and living according to God’s ways by His enabling, we are an example to the world. Though we may not be able to honor God in absolutely everything all the time, when our hearts are inclined to Him, we delight in Him and He delights in us. We serve as a light to the world, demonstrating the reality of God’s holiness and faithfulness, and pointing others to the abundant life available in Christ (John 10:10; Romans 12:1–2; Ephesians 4:15; 1 Peter 3:15; 1 John 2:15–17).

UNDERSTAND

• Believers are called to honor God though we cannot do it on our own because of sin.
• The Holy Spirit indwells believers and empowers us to honor God.
• Seeking to honor God is what we should desire as believers.

REFLECT

• In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to honor God consistently? How does that struggle affect your relationship with Him?
• How have you experienced the Holy Spirit helping you resist sin in your daily life? How have you experienced Him help you glorify God in your daily life?
• When you fail to honor God, how do you respond, and what steps do you take to realign yourself with His will?

ENGAGE

• How do we balance the biblical reality of ongoing sin with the call to live a life that honors God?
• In what practical ways can we encourage one another to shine as lights in a world that often misunderstands or rejects Christianity?
• How can understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives help us grow in glorifying God despite our imperfections?