glory

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 180

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Day 180

Of Free Will.

Chapter 9, Paragraph 5.

“The will of Man is made perfectly, and immutably free to good alone, in the state of Glory only.”

Scripture Lookup

Ephesians 4:13

Reflection

“It’s only for a season.” This advice I have read numerous times, given to frustrated moms of little ones. While seemingly stuck in a time-loop of tantrums, tidying, and tiredness, the time these mothers have with young children is relatively short. No matter how dragged-out those days of toddlers seem, they will inevitably end.

Some seasons, however, do not end until our life does. The Christian’s struggle with sin is such a season. Until we die and are received into the presence of our Savior, we wage war against the remaining corruption of sin within us. The battle of our will to choose good is constant in this world.

While the fight against our sinful flesh lasts in this life, there is a glorious hope that the Christian possesses. All remaining corruption will no longer be part of us after death. There will be no choosing of evil in heaven, but only the free choice of good.

There shall not be the least aversion to good, nor the least inclination of evil, in their wills, but they will be brought to a perfect conformity to the will of God….they will get such a fixed habit of purity, as they can never lose. – Thomas Boston

Salvation in Christ is better than creation in the image of God and citizenship in the garden of Eden. God does not place believers back at the starting line in the same position in which Adam was created. He grants irrevocable, eternal life based on the doing and dying of Jesus to all who believe the gospel. The end is better than the beginning.  -Richard Barcellos

We may be “tempted, tried, and sometimes failing” throughout all our days, but Christian, your victory is a done deal. Because of Christ, you can look forward to the day when that fighting against evil is finished, never to return. Stand firm! This battle is only for a season. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

Questions to Consider

  • How often do you forget that you have glory to look forward to?

 

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 72

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Day 72

Of Creation

Chapter 4, Paragraph 1.

“… for the manifestation of the glory of His eternal power, wisdom, and goodness,…”

Scripture Lookup

Romans 1:20.

Reflection

This whole universe exists to glorify God.

Did you think that He created it for you? There are those out there that do think this. “God made all this – for us!” they exclaim. And there is much to this world that we can enjoy. Yet there are a multitude of things out there that we will never experience, no matter how much you cram into one lifetime. Why then would you think that this earth was made just for you?

No matter how much we try, we cannot match the power, wisdom, and goodness of God that He has manifested in creation. Can we create weather patterns and systems to work together throughout the earth? No, we can only observe them. Can we create the proper balance of systems in the body? No, we can only manage them as best we can. Can we make the sinner good? No, we can only point the way to the One who does.

So you and I, the trees and rocks, the mountains and canyons, the stars and the lava under the earth, we all exist to show forth God’s glory. That is why He created all things. When we look at the universe with this in mind, we don’t have to explore with a consumer attitude – “What’s in this world for me?” – but we can discover with wonder all that is around us, and praise Him for it.

Questions to Consider

  • How does creation help you to glorify God?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 42

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Day 42

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 2.

“…but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them, he is the alone fountain of all Being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things,…”

Scripture Lookup

Romans 11:34-36.

Reflection

This phrase of Chapter 2 is quite the lesson in prepositions, isn’t it?

(preposition: a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause, as in “the man on the platform,” “she arrived after dinner,” “what did you do it for?” -Oxford Dictionaries)

“…manifesting his own glory in them…” God’s glory is manifested in his creatures. All people are created in God’s image, and that image is glorious. The fact that you breathe is a result of the glory of God manifesting itself in you.

“…manifesting his own glory by them…” God’s glory is manifested by his creatures.  We, along with the rest of creation, demonstrate His handiwork. Your life displays the glory of God.

“…manifesting his own glory unto them…” God’s glory is manifested to his creatures. The sun rises and sets another day. We see the glory of God displayed all around us.

“…manifesting his own glory upon them…” God’s glory is manifested upon his creatures. All creation benefits from the wonders of his glory. As Christians, we are keenly aware of God’s glory upon us. When we were dead in our trespasses and sins, Christ died for us. God has showered his glory upon us by making us alive in Christ, changing our hearts from a a heart of stone to a heart of flesh, and conforming us to the image of his Son.

Questions to Consider

  • Where do you see God’s glory in your life today?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 39

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Day 39

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 2.

“…glory,…”

Scripture Lookup

Psalm 148:13.

Reflection

When we as Christians bring God glory, where does that glory come from? Have we somehow created it to give to God? How can you give more glory to God?

We cannot give God more glory than He already possesses. We cannot take away more glory than He already possesses. He has all glory in and of Himself.

I am the LORD, that is My name,

I will not give My glory to another…               -Isaiah 42:8

Why is it important to know that God has all glory in and of Himself? It reminds us that there is nothing special about us apart from Him. We repeat “Soli Deo Gloria” (To God Alone Be the Glory), and we may earnestly desire to see Him glorified, but there is still the battle to bring some glory to self. We have worked hard. We used our talents. We have done what was needed to bring about the outcome. How often do we fall back on our supposed merits for any accomplishment, and merely give lip service to God and his glory?

If God chose to glorify Himself through taking away everything you possessed and everything you loved, would you be content with that? Would you still give God the glory? For despite the health and wealth teaching that plagues our day and age, God does not always give material blessings to his faithful. Look at Job. God’s glory is in and of Himself, and we are to give Him glory no matter our circumstances.

Lord, help us to die to self. May You have all the glory.

Questions to Consider

  • Have you been giving lip service to God’s glory?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 33

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Day 33

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 1.

“…for his own glory,…”

Scripture Lookup

Proverbs 16:4.

Romans 11:36.

Reflection

“Who made you?”

“God.”

“What else did God make?”

“All things.”

“Why did God make you and all things?”

“FOR HIS OWN GLORY!”

When going through the Children’s Catechism with my brood, this answer is always greatly emphasized. (Sometimes it’s even shouted.) But why shouldn’t it be shouted? Think about what the Confession has said so far about who God is, and the more you reflect upon it, praise should erupt!

God has created and ordered all things according to His will, which is unchangeable and righteous. If God were any less than He is, than it would seem selfish to work all things for His glory. But He is the best, most extraordinary, perfectly good God. There is none like Him. He created all things. Because of Him all things live and move and have their being. All things owe their allegiance to Him. Therefore, He shall have the glory forever. And justly so.

You are created for His glory. Do not lose sight of that!

To do all to the glory of God is to make a virtue of necessity; for all shall in the end be to him, whether we will or no. -Matthew Henry

I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever. -Psalm 86:2

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. -Matthew 5:6

For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. -1 Corinthians 6:20

Questions to Consider

  • How does knowing that God works all things for His own glory affect you? Does it change how you’re thinking? Does it change any of your actions?

LBCF of 1677/1689 – Chapter Thirty-One, Of the State of Man After Death and of the Resurrection of the Dead

/ William F. Leonhart III / Leave a comment

1. The bodies of men after death return to dust, and see corruption; but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous being then made perfect in holiness, are received into paradise, where they are with Christ, and behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell; where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day; besides these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.
( Genesis 3:19; Acts 13:36; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6,8; Philippians 1:23; Hebrews 12:23; Jude 6, 7; 1 Peter 3:19; Luke 16:23, 24 )

2. At the last day, such of the saints as are found alive, shall not sleep, but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the selfsame bodies, and none other; although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever.
( 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Job 19:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 43 )

3. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonour; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honour, and be made conformable to his own glorious body.
( Acts 24:15; John 5:28, 29; Philippians 3:21 )