Our Glorious God

Over the last few months, my pastor has been teaching in-depth on the gospel and it's application to believers and non-believers alike.  A few weeks ago, he spoke on an attribute of God that really struck me - His self-centeredness.  Now wait a sec, how can God be self-centered?  If He only cared about Himself, he wouldn't have sent His Son to die to save us, would He?  God is self-centered in a very specific way; He plans and works everything for His glory and His alone.  You may still be wondering how that's possible.

Let's start with a question.  If God has commanded us to not be selfish, isn't He being a hypocrite if He is seeking only His own glory?  The answer is 'no.'  What is the root reason that it is wrong for us to be selfish and seek our own glory?  Because we are not the one most deserving of glory.  We are not all-powerful, all-knowing, ever and everywhere present, etc.  So what are we to do?  We are to seek the glory of the One who is, being God.  By this logic, it would be wrong for God to seek anyone's glory but His own, because we are not worthy of that glory, He is.  Getting lost yet?  : )

Moving on to the cross.  If God is always seeking His own glory, why would he send Jesus to die for us?  When a person comes to realize that they were given an immeasurable gift, one that will save their souls and bring them into communion with God Himself, what is their first response?  "Thank you, God!" as well it should be.  By sending Jesus to die, God the Father brought much glory to Himself.  As Christians, what is our main goal in life?  To bring glory to God.  We do this by living godly lives so that non-Christians "may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven", using the spiritual and physical gifts He has given us, and many more ways.

Have you ever wondered why God didn't crush Satan in the beginning, after he revolted?  He could have.  But if He had, His perfect love story would never have taken place.  Everything would be perfect, and His creations would praise Him, but it would not be the same praise and glory that comes from someone who has lived in an imperfect world and seen what evil is and can do and now resides with a perfect and holy God.  Adam and Eve could never have given that kind of praise if they had never fallen.  Does this make God cruel, that He allowed Satan to go free and tempt Eve, causing the whole perfect system to come crashing down?  I don't think so.  By allowing that to happen, He set in motion a beautiful story of pursuit, redemption, and completion.  Life is hard, but God is amazing, and I don't think I'd really want it any other way.

So what does this mean for us?  If the ultimate purpose for the universe is to bring glory to God, if we refuse to do so, we will never find joy or peace in anything we do.  On the other hand, if we strive to bring glory to the One who deserves it, we will find joy even in things that are mundane or painful.  In other words, Soli Deo Gloria - Glory to God Alone.