What does it mean to live for God’s glory?

To live for God’s glory is the epitome of Christlikeness. Four words can describe it: God getting glory gladly.

  1. God
    Who is He? We have to know Who He is! Not who He is to me or who He is to someone else, but who He Is. He is the Creator, Sustainer, Savior, and Lord! He is holy, just, righteous, loving, gracious, and merciful! There is no other god like Him! (See Isaiah 46:9).
  2. Getting
    Why is He getting glory? He is worthy of glory! (See Revelation 4:11.) Since He is worthy, He should get glory through our obedience to give Him glory. (See 1 Chronicles 16:29.)
  3. Glory
    What is He getting? The word for glory in Hebrew is kabod and in the Greek is doxa. These words are described in relation to what we give: praise, honor, worship, dignity, and reverence.
  4. Gladly
    What is our attitude in giving it? If our attitude is humble, loving, and pure in motive, we will give Him glory with a glad heart. If our desire is that we really want glory and accolades, then our words and glory are empty and temporal; but when we are pure in our desire to reflect glory to God, then our words and glory are full and possess eternal value.

This is how we should live our lives! Desiring daily to praise God, to give God honor and thanks, and to worship God for Who He is, for what He’s done, and for what He is doing in and around our lives.

“Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He Who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:1-5).

Remember, the goal of every Christian is Christlikeness! The more we mimic Jesus, the more our lives are lived for God’s glory.