By this is my father glorified, that you bear much fruit.
John 15:8
The glory of God is the single most important thing in the world to God. And therefore you glorifying God is the single most important thing you can do with your life.
But if we were honest, most of us have little to no idea what that actually means. We talk about God’s glory in abstract ways. We talk about glorifying God in convoluted ways. And so at the end of the day, we know what everything is for – the glory of God – and what we should do – glorify Him – but we don’t know how to actually do it.
Do we sing?
Do we simply go around saying “for your glory” after every little thing we do and at the end of every prayer?
Is it just that we know that everything is for the glory of God?
If I’m a professional athlete, is it mentioning God’s name after I win a game?
If I’m a designer, do I have to stitch a verse somewhere on my clothing?
It can get pretty complicated and nebulous. Luckily, Jesus says it’s actually pretty simple, straightforward, and concrete. It’s the practical fruit of your life that produces the glory of God.
In other words, I don’t know that it matters to God that you can articulate the Westminster Catechism’s definition of the glory of God and our duty to glorify Him. I don’t know that it matters if you top off your prayers with a little “glory of God” throw in at the end.
I think what matters to God and what actually glorifies Him is that you do life His way. That you live in such a way that God’s activity is actually visible in your life. And not just your words.
Let me put it simply:
When husbands love their wives as Christ loved the church, it glorifies God.
When you manage your finances God’s way, it glorifies God.
When you honor the people around you, it glorifies God.
When you love the waiter that’s serving you on Sunday and leave them a good tip, it glorifies God much more than when you sang about His glory an hour earlier.
Let’s all stop the abstract “glory” talk and lets get down to the business of actually doing it. Press into Jesus. Live life the way He intends it. And let the fruit you’re producing do the talking for you.
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