1 Tim. 6:1-10, Our Purpose: To Glorify God (2)

Let us continue to consider these truths that show what it means to glorify God.

·       We glorify God by demonstrating/manifesting His attributes to our world.  There are many illustrations of this.

o   John 9:3: The healing of the man born blind demonstrated the work of God.  In other words, Jesus says, the reason the man was born in that condition was so that in him the works of God should be revealed. 

o   Rom. 9:22-23: God’s power is manifested in unbelievers; the riches of His glory are manifested through the Church.  Our friends and family realize what a great God He is when they see sinners like us saved.

o   1 Cor. 2:5; 2 Cor. 4:7: The impact of the gospel in our lives shows the world God’s great power in contrast to the best wisdom the world has to offer.  We are not saved by man’s wisdom but God’s power.  Further, God’s use of weak humans (i.e. the Church) to be the repository and tool of the Holy Spirit, shows the world God’s power.

o   Eph. 2:7: Likewise, the salvation of Jews and Gentiles alike, demonstrates His marvelous, amazing grace.  And the demonstration of His grace in the Church will be on display for ages to come.

o   Eph. 3:10: The way God worked out the salvation of Gentiles as well as of the Jews is a powerful demonstration to the angels and demons alike of God’s great wisdom.  Everyone wondered how God would justify the ungodly while maintaining His own righteous character.  The answer, of course, was bound up in the sacrifice of Christ, God’s Son. 

o   1 Tim. 1:16: Paul said his own salvation, that of a persecutor of Christians, was proof of God’s longsuffering.  What it shows to people still today is that no sinner is so sinful as to be outside the possibility of God’s saving mercy.

o   1 Tim. 6:1: We display God’s name and teaching when we live righteously in the world, and especially in situations where most people would not succeed.  Remember, we do not do this in our own strength; it is done in the power of God and by our faith in Him.  When we sin openly before the people of the world, we blaspheme God’s holy name and the teaching of the gospel.

These are but a few attributes of God that are on display by believers.  Each of the verses contains a hina clause: we live in such a way “so that” others will see God in and through us.  There are a lot of things here that should fill our times of prayer with the Lord.  What a privilege we have to display God’s attributes!  What a shame to blaspheme His name before a watching world!