How Do I Live for God’s Glory Alone?

2017 marked the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, which heralded the five Solas (sola, meaning “alone” in Latin), as the core foundation for the Christian faith. It is essential for us to understand these five truths because they separate Christianity from every other world religion. While each strikes its own chord, I want to focus on a single one. “Soli Deo Gloria” is a Latin term meaning ”glory to God alone” – a premise upon which and for which many people died.

Christians and the local church exist for one purpose: bringing glory to God alone. Not for you, not for your name, or for your local church. Mark Dever said, “We believe the local church is the focal point of God’s plan for displaying His glory to the nations. Our vision is simple: churches that reflect the character of God.”

This is a counter-cultural, scandalous statement to make. “All the glory belongs to Him alone!” In a culture where people live simply to drink, eat, and to be merry (Ecc. 8:10), as the day is short like a vapor in the air (Jam. 4:14), Christians exist for this singular purpose: to glorify our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Here are three lessons I’ve learned in the past 10 years in ministry about the glory of God.

1. God is Jealous for His Glory

The Westminster Catechism begins with the opening statement, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”

Why?

Because the Bible is for us, but it is not about us. It is about God’s pursuit of His glory.  As Jonathan Edwards said, “What makes Christ glorious is an admirable conjunction of diverse excellencies.”

As you read Scripture with this in mind, it is impossible to ignore God’s pursuit of His glory:

To God, who is full of wisdom and knowledge, be all glory, honor, and praise (Rom. 11:36; Rev. 5:12, 7:12). To the Righteous Ruler and the Holy King be all exaltation and adoration (Isa. 6:3). All creation joins with the resounding of heaven and earth for this one single purpose – to glorify in the beauty and majesty of the Triune God who deserves all worship (Psa. 115:1).

Ask for God to help you as you seek to bring Him glory above all else in your life.  We cannot do this in our strength alone. I often prayed as I thought of the church I pastor, “God, I desire to pursue Your glory in my life and my church, would you help me to do so?” I prayed this earnestly as a young seminarian, and I still want this to be a reality in my life.

2. Humans are Rebellious Glory Thieves

The temptation for humans to steal glory from something or someone is not a new thing. We long to be known, to be championed and glorified, above even those we love. Simply put, we battle to be thieves of everyone’s glory, including God’s. We want recognition. We want honor. We want praise.

How often do we strategize to increase followers and to be known for what we do? Just one more like, one more retweet, one more follower, view online, shares on blog… etc.

If we are living in this way, with this mindset, we are glory thieves. We must ask ourselves: for whose glory do we do what we do?

The reality is that herein lies the core of many problems not only in society but also within the Christian church. People want to live for their own glory, namesake, and persona. “I, me, myself” to be seated on the throne, high and lifted up to be adored and worshiped (Matthew 23:7).

3. Our God is Infinitely Glorious

The Greek word translated glory (δόξα) literally means that something has inherent, intrinsic worth as an idea of weight. When we experience even a fraction of the weight of who God is, the only response is utter surrender.

When one experiences the greatness of God and one’s conscience is quickened by the realization of the grandeur of our desperate need for Him, soon the conscience is awakened to the realization of Christ alone being the only source one has ever need or long for. 

About three years ago I went through a season of burnout. I ached as I asked, “Am I really doing anything that is making an impact for the kingdom? Am I always just going to be a mediocre pastor in ministry?”

I felt the Lord then press upon my heart, “Jonathan, am I not enough?” Indeed, what would ever be “enough” in my life? Nothing apart from Christ will ever be enough to fill this vile, rebellious heart of mine (Jer. 17:9).

I realized I did the same old thing the Israelites did. I created a golden calf entitled “success” on the hill where I exalted myself to be glorified (Exo. 32:5).

The calf in Exodus is my story. The calf in Exodus is all of our stories. 

The fundamental question that our 21st century evangelical churches must ask is this: If we could have everything in this world, yet Christ is not there, can we be satisfied?

Glory, being in the the presence of God, ought to be our only obsession. The cry of our hearts ought to be, “Lord Jesus, I’m not going anywhere except for you and your presence.” If we don’t live in that reality, we lose the very point of living. 

May the words of C.T. Studd echo in our minds as we go forward with our days, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Jonathan Hayashi

Jonathan Hayashi (B.A. and M.A., Moody Theological Seminary) is a Pastoral staff at Troy First Baptist Church in Troy, MO. He is also a Doctoral student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to his wife, Kennedi and father of two beautiful daughters. You can follow Jonathan on Twitter @jonathanhayash or check out his personal blog, Evangelica Sola