How many times have I heard the question "Who is number one in your life?" Often, this question is followed by, "You're just a piece of the puzzle. God is what the picture is about. You may be the only Bible someone reads. Live so they see Christ."
Sadly, this thinking is very flawed.
It's not a question of who is number one. Rather, the point is, do I acknowledge and embrace God as Number One? The whole universe revolves around God. He alone is truly Awesome. I'm not a puzzle piece, that, if the puzzle piece is missing, the picture is incomplete. God doesn't need me! I'm more like a grain of sand in the great expanse of the universe. If I turn away from God, it's not going to mess up who God is. It's not going to spoil His plan. He won't sit there thinking "Well, so much for plan A; guess I'll have to try plan B." Seriously!
No, the whole point is God's glory. He gives grace to mankind so that He gains glory for Himself. This theme runs all throughout the Bible. He loves me, yes, but He doesn't NEED me. All my life, I've heard, "Jesus loves you because He wants a relationship with you. You serve Him to please Him." But, as I have read the Bible, this is not what I have found.
I don't pretend to be God, or to even comprehend Who He is. That's the last thing I would want to do. What I do want to do is see the picture of Himself that He portrays in Scripture. I did a search through the Bible looking for the phrase "that they may know that I am the Lord God." Of course, this comes in various forms, but it is ALL OVER the Old Testament.
It made me consider, why is in in the Old Testament and not the New Testament? Partly, I think the answer is in Jesus. The Old Testament points to Christ, the New Testament puts Christ Himself on the scene. The theme however, though more subtle, is still present; just differently. In the New Testament, you see Jesus giving glory to His Father numerous times. Also, what is the purpose He gives for us to live according to the Word? -So that people see and glorify God. Are you with me?
God is a Jealous God. He desires praise and glory. How does He get it? He redeems, He loves, He grants grace and forgiveness. He does miracles, shows His power, and answers prayer. I'm not supposed to become like Christ in the sense that people see Christ in me. That's not the focus! The focus should be rather, that I thank, praise, and spotlight God, the Number One. Christ being seen in me is a by-product, not the root.
Whenever Jesus healed the sick and opened the eyes of the blind, people saw and glorified God. When Paul shared of His conversion, the disciples saw and glorified God. At Pentecost, when the Christians spoke in tongues, people saw and glorified God. In Revelation, everything on earth is put into perspective before God's throne so that all see and glorify God.
Do you see the common thread here?
It has made me reconsider how I view God and His actions toward mankind. He is a God of love, yes, a God of justice, yes. A holy God definitely. -But above all, He is GOD. He wants credit for that.
Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace toward me. May You receive all glory and honor!
~Barbara
(If you have any comments on this post, or something you would like me to consider, please feel free to comment. Sensitive information will not be published. Thank you!)
Sadly, this thinking is very flawed.
It's not a question of who is number one. Rather, the point is, do I acknowledge and embrace God as Number One? The whole universe revolves around God. He alone is truly Awesome. I'm not a puzzle piece, that, if the puzzle piece is missing, the picture is incomplete. God doesn't need me! I'm more like a grain of sand in the great expanse of the universe. If I turn away from God, it's not going to mess up who God is. It's not going to spoil His plan. He won't sit there thinking "Well, so much for plan A; guess I'll have to try plan B." Seriously!
No, the whole point is God's glory. He gives grace to mankind so that He gains glory for Himself. This theme runs all throughout the Bible. He loves me, yes, but He doesn't NEED me. All my life, I've heard, "Jesus loves you because He wants a relationship with you. You serve Him to please Him." But, as I have read the Bible, this is not what I have found.
I don't pretend to be God, or to even comprehend Who He is. That's the last thing I would want to do. What I do want to do is see the picture of Himself that He portrays in Scripture. I did a search through the Bible looking for the phrase "that they may know that I am the Lord God." Of course, this comes in various forms, but it is ALL OVER the Old Testament.
It made me consider, why is in in the Old Testament and not the New Testament? Partly, I think the answer is in Jesus. The Old Testament points to Christ, the New Testament puts Christ Himself on the scene. The theme however, though more subtle, is still present; just differently. In the New Testament, you see Jesus giving glory to His Father numerous times. Also, what is the purpose He gives for us to live according to the Word? -So that people see and glorify God. Are you with me?
God is a Jealous God. He desires praise and glory. How does He get it? He redeems, He loves, He grants grace and forgiveness. He does miracles, shows His power, and answers prayer. I'm not supposed to become like Christ in the sense that people see Christ in me. That's not the focus! The focus should be rather, that I thank, praise, and spotlight God, the Number One. Christ being seen in me is a by-product, not the root.
Whenever Jesus healed the sick and opened the eyes of the blind, people saw and glorified God. When Paul shared of His conversion, the disciples saw and glorified God. At Pentecost, when the Christians spoke in tongues, people saw and glorified God. In Revelation, everything on earth is put into perspective before God's throne so that all see and glorify God.
Do you see the common thread here?
It has made me reconsider how I view God and His actions toward mankind. He is a God of love, yes, a God of justice, yes. A holy God definitely. -But above all, He is GOD. He wants credit for that.
Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace toward me. May You receive all glory and honor!
~Barbara
(If you have any comments on this post, or something you would like me to consider, please feel free to comment. Sensitive information will not be published. Thank you!)
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