“Not Unto Us!”

"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).     

       

     While constituting a great challenge, the determination to represent and honor the Lord Jesus Christ provides blessed relief from one of the most crippling spiritual pathologies of the human heart.  

     Much strength sapping energy dissipates when our concern lies in promoting our own person, name, and achievements.  Nothing of lasting value or benefit ever comes from the "Think well of  me!" sensibility that governs us in our natural state.  Humanity rather exists to serve as the moon that knowingly reflects the light of the sun, deferring all credit for illumination to the true Source.  Such determination begins in our hearts, wherein we build an altar of sacrificing our own reputation in order to devote ourselves fully to the glory of God - "Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory!" (Psalm 115:1).

    This is peace, again, because God made us to honor and reveal the wonders of His Son.  We swim against the current of reality if our destination involves any other determination.  Conversely, we find ourselves carried along in the power of our Lord's mighty flow as we realize and devote ourselves to the ambassadorship that involves the representation of Another.  When led by the Holy Spirit, believers act in attitude, demeanor, word, action, and relationship for the holy purpose of "Not unto us… but unto Thy name give glory!"  This relieves us from the unholy struggle of self promotion that drowns us in pride if we perceive ourselves as successful in the effort, or cripples us with despair if our quest for glory ends in obscurity or shame.  Moreover, devotion to the glory of the Lord Jesus establishes our hearts in truth and reality, ultimately leading to the affirmation and praise of the only One whose approval we must have.  "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

    The challenge of honoring our Lord requires much diligence and watchfulness, as enabled by Holy Spirit who Himself purposes to direct all honor to the Lord Jesus (John 16:13-14).  We will be tempted often to further our own person and name, usually in ways known only to ourselves.  Remembering the altar upon which we sacrificed such deadly self promotion - "Not unto us! - and affirming the rightful glory of our Savior - "Unto Thy name give glory!" - will lead us in peace, His peace as known when we serve as the moons that reflect the light of the sun (Son).

"Be Thou exalted, o God, above the heavens, and Thy glory above all the earth."

(Psalm 108:5)

Weekly Memory Verse

    Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.

(II Peter 1:2)