The Glory Challenge Is to Promote God’s Glory, Not Our Own
- Jack Selcher
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
We have stolen God’s honor and glory. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17 NIV).
We naturally covet His honor and glory. “Good sermon, pastor!” If it was good, God made it possible. It is easy to forget that when people praise us.
We’re like UPS delivery people tempted to steal the packages (glory) we are to deliver to God. How can we know if we’re glory thieves? We will get to that shortly.
Most people know us superficially. In my local school district, I am a throws coach. To one of my friends, I am a fisherman.
To my master’s age competitors, I was a discus thrower. To people of my denomination, I am a pastor, author, and former Secretary of the Conference.
To many in the neighborhood, I am a gardener. To a pastor in Africa, I am a Bishop.
Who are we to those who know us best? What do they observe as our defining passion? If it isn’t God, we are distracted from God’s purpose for our lives—bringing Him honor and glory.
Are we trying to make a name for ourselves? An outstanding athlete I coached said that he wanted our local community to remember his name. We understand. We want to be remembered after we have passed from this earth, do we not?
Our default setting is to grab glory. As a college student, I attempted to win school awards. I needed them to prop up my self-image. I thought they would bring me love and respect.
It was an unending, unfulfilling quest. Thankfully, I don’t have to prove myself over and over to validate my worth.
God does not love us based on our performance. Jesus said, “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:23 NIV).
The Father loves us as much as He loves His Son. And that is a lot. Since we have nothing to prove, what is our purpose?
In my devotional reading of Isaiah 47, I wrote this application (as if God were speaking to me): “Seek My honor, not your own.” I need frequent reminders. Jesus showed us how to do it.
He said, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began” (John 17:4-5 NIV). The same pattern applies to us.
We must complete the work God gave us to do. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).
“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” (Titus 3:8 NIV).
Like Jesus, we seek God’s honor and glory now by doing the good things He planned for us long ago. What happens after we have completed our assignments?
“But glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” (Romans 2:10 NIV). First, the good works. Then glory.
The glory challenge is to wait patiently as we promote God’s glory and honor now by doing the good things He planned for us. Our glory, honor, and peace will come later. What is your takeaway? See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.
God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 6,090 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 15,150 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.
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