Breaking FreeSample

"Benefit Two: To Glorify God" The more I study God’s glory, the more I’m convinced it is almost indefinable. God’s glory far exceeds anything we can comprehend in human terms. It’s the way He makes Himself known or shows Himself mighty. God’s glory is how He shows who He is. The Greek word for glory in these New Testament references (doxa) is “the true apprehension of God or things. The glory of God must mean His unchanging essence. Giving glory to God is ascribing to him His full recognition …The glory of God is what He is essentially.” Doxa comes from another wonderful word, dokeo, meaning “to … think or suppose.” God’s glory is the way He makes Himself recognizable. God desires to be recognizable in us in all we do! A life that glorifies God is a life that reveals God. If you’re like me, you’re probably overwhelmed by the enormous responsibility of such a calling. We’re imperfect creatures! How do we help others recognize something about God just from watching our lives and knowing us? Paul announced the mystery that Christ Himself dwells in every believer. Romans 8:9 tells us that “if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” The moment we received Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit of Christ took up residence in our inner being. Do you see the key? We have no hope whatsoever of God being recognizable in us if the Spirit of Christ does not dwell in us. If we are not occupied by the Holy Spirit, we have nothing of God in us for Him to show. We glorify God to the degree that we externalize the internal presence of the living Christ. A life that glorifies God is not something we suddenly attain. People living out the reality of liberation in Christ (Gal. 5:1; 2 Cor. 3:17) progress in an “ever-increasing glory.” As they grow in spiritual maturity, the Spirit of Christ becomes increasingly recognizable in them. So when Christ is not recognizable in a redeemed life, we want to identify and allow God to treat that area of captivity. God makes us aware of hindrances so He can set us free! Learning to dialogue with God in very personal ways is a crucial part of the freedom process. Share with Him your sincere response to today’s devotional.