Two ways to glorify God

In our readings today we saw at least two ways to glorify God. One was found in Galatians; the other in Ezekiel.

The first concerned the Apostle Paul. He was a man of tremendous pedigree, education, zeal and more. He used these assets, in the name of religion, to promote and elevate himself. He went as far as to persecute those who identified themselves with "the Way" of Christ. From the casual observer it may have appeared that this would be the last man who would join the army of Christ.

But God was already at work, ready to be glorified through this man. As verse 15 instructs, "But when He who had me set apart before I was born, and who called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to (I think "in" fits better) me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles,..."

From verse 15 we see that Paul had been set apart from before birth. God had a plan for Paul's life even before he breathed one breath of earth's air. God also took the initiative to pour out His grace upon Paul, thus enabling Paul to know and receive Christ. Having received Christ Paul's life was immediately transformed. Before he was destroying people who proclaimed Christ; now, He was Himself a vessel given over to revealing Christ in word and deed.

When others saw the dramatic change in Paul, according to verse 24, "they glorified God because of me." When they saw how a persecutor of the church of Christ became its main proponent and advancer, they glorified God. God's name was lifted up declaring that He had done an amazing work in transforming this enemy into an ally. That's one way God is glorified.

Buy there is another way God is glorified. That was found in our reading in Ezekeil 28. As with so many of Israel's enemies they enjoyed a time of prosperity. They may have had wealth and power, and success over God's people, Israel, but the Lord reminded them through the prophet Ezekiel, that things were going to change.

In verse 22, Ezekiel say, "Thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I am against you, O Sidon, and I will manifest my glory in your midst. And they shall know that I am the Lord when I execute judgment in her and manifest my holiness in her;..."

In this instance God is being glorified through His judgment of evil nations. When those nations who think of themselves as secure, are brought down in a moment, God shows Himself strong, and He is glorified.

So there are two ways God is glorified. He is glorified when His power transforms the human soul and makes it one through which Christ is revealed. Or God is glorified in the judgment of people who insist in hardening their hearts in the face of God. Either way God will be glorified; His name and His power will be revealed. But it is far better to be among those who are glorified through God's transforming their soul.

If you are one in whom God has made that transformation, give thanks to God, and recommit yourself to being a vessel through which Christ will be revealed. If you have not yet ungone such a transformation, then today is the day to seek the Lord. Call on His mercies. He is ready to receive sinners and fill them with the glorious life of His Son.