Chapter 9 The reason for everything on the seventh day

The reason for everything on the seventh day For from him, through him, and to him are all things.To him be the glory! (Romans 11:36) All things were created by the LORD according to his will. (Proverbs 16:4) Everything is for him. The ultimate purpose of the existence of the universe is to reveal the glory of God.Without the glory of God, all is nothing. What is the glory of God?That is Himself, His Essence, His Majesty, His Splendor, The Manifestation of His Power, The Atmosphere Of His Presence.God's glory is the expression of his goodness and all his true, eternal nature. Where is the glory of God?All that God has created reflects His glory if we lift up our eyes and look.From tiny creatures to vast galaxies, from sunsets and stars to storms and seasons, all reveal the glory of the Creator.From nature we see that God is powerful: He appreciates change, He loves beauty, He is organized, creative and wise.The Bible says, "The heavens proclaim the glory of God."

Since ancient times, God has used different situations to reveal His glory to man.First in the Garden of Eden, then to Moses, in the Tabernacle, in the Temple, then through Jesus and now through the Church to reveal His glory.God also expresses His glory in fire, clouds, thunder, smoke, and brilliance.The glory of God illuminates everything in heaven.The Bible says, "The sun and the moon did not shine in the city, for the glory of God lighted it." We can best see the glory of God in Jesus.Jesus is the light of the world, revealing the essence of God, so that people can see clearly.Because Jesus came into the world, we no longer need to grope and wonder who God is.The Bible says: "He is the radiance of the glory of God." Jesus came to make us truly understand what the glory of God is.The Bible says, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory... abounding in grace and truth."

God's glory is inherent because he is God, it is his nature.We cannot add to his glory any more than we can make the sun shine brighter.But God commands us to know his glory, to honor his glory, to proclaim his glory, to praise his glory, to reflect his glory, and to live for his glory.Why?Because God deserves it!We should give him all the glory.Because God created all things, He deserves all the glory.The Bible says, "Our Lord, our God, you are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. For you created all things." There are only two kinds of creatures in the entire universe that do not give glory to God, the fallen angels (devils) and us (humans).The root of all sin is failure to give God the glory, that is, to love other things more than God.Refusing to give glory to God is pride and rebellion, the sin that causes Satan and us to stumble and fall into sin.We have all lived for our own glory but not for the glory of God.The Bible says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

It is our greatest transgression and sin that no one has ever given God all the glory he deserves.On the other hand, living for the glory of God is the greatest achievement we can achieve in life.God said, "They are my people, and I made them for my glory." Therefore, living for God's glory is the greatest achievement we can achieve in life. How to give glory to God? Jesus said to the Father: "I have glorified you on earth, and I have accomplished what you have entrusted to me." Jesus glorified God by accomplishing God's will, and we should do the same.Anything created that fulfills the purpose for which it was created gives glory to God.The bird gives glory to God by its flight, its song, its nest, and even the tiny ant, when it fulfills the purpose for which it was created, gives glory to God.Irenaeus once said: "A man full of vitality is the glory of God."

There are many ways to glorify God, which can be summarized into five purposes of God for our life.The rest of the book will be discussed in detail.Here is an overview: glorify God with worship Worship is our first duty to God.We worship God with enjoyment.Lewis said: "When God commands us to honor him, he actually wants us to enjoy him." God wants our worship to be out of love, gratitude and joy, not as a duty.As John White said, "We honor him most when we are most satisfied with him." Worship goes far beyond praising, singing, and praying to God.Worship is a way of enjoying God, loving God, and giving ourselves to His purpose.When you use your life for the glory of God, everything you do becomes an act of worship.The Bible says, "Use your whole body as an instrument of righteousness to the glory of God."

Give glory to God by loving believers Once you experience regeneration, you become part of God's family.Following Christ is not just about believing, it also includes belonging to the family of God and learning to love the family of God.John wrote, "By this we love one another we have passed from death unto life." Paul also said, "Accept one another, therefore, as Christ accepted you, to the glory of God." It is your responsibility to learn to love others the way God loves, because God is love and to do so is to glorify Him.Jesus said, "As I have loved you, so love one another. The world will know that you are my disciples if you love one another."

Glory to God by imitating Christ Since we have been regenerated into the family of God, God wants us to mature spiritually.What is the expression of spiritual maturity?It is becoming more and more like Jesus in our thoughts, feelings and actions.The more you imitate Christ, the more you glorify God.The Bible says, "As God's love works in us, we grow more and more like him, reflecting his glory more richly." After you accepted Christ, God has given you a new life and character.Throughout your life, God will continue to change your character.The Bible says, "May you be filled with the fruit of righteousness and salvation which is given by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Glory to God by serving others Each of us is specially designed by God, and He has given us different talents, gifts, and skills, and none of these are coincidental.God has not given you these abilities for your own selfish purposes, but for the benefit of others, just as others have God-given talents for your benefit.The Bible says: "Serve one another according to the talents you have received, making good use of the various gifts God has given you..... whoever is able to serve, do so with the strength that God God is glorified." To glorify God by spreading His love God does not want us to store up his love and his will as secret recipes.Once we know the truth, He expects us to share it with others.It is a great privilege to lead people to know Jesus, to help people find their purpose in life, and to prepare them for the path to eternal life.The Bible says, "When God's grace leads many to Christ...then God is more glorified."

What do you live for? You will have to change your priorities, your relationships, your schedule, and everything else if you are going to live the rest of your life to the glory of God.Sometimes, that means choosing a difficult path.Even Jesus went through this struggle.When he knew that he was about to go to the cross, he cried out: "I am so confused now, I don't know what to say, Father God! Save me from this time! But I came for this time, Father God, glorify your name!" When Jesus faced a fork in the road, did he choose the way to glorify God and fulfill God’s will, or the way to live a comfortable life privately?You also face the same decision, should you live for your own goals, comfort, and happiness, or live for the glory of God who has promised us eternal rewards?The Bible says: "Whoever clings to your life will lose it; but if you let go of your life... you will have real life to eternal life."

This is the time to really figure things out, who are you going to live for?Are you living for yourself or for God?You may be hesitating, wondering if you have the strength to live for God.Don't worry, God will provide for all your needs if you decide to live for Him.The Bible says, "God has given us by his divine power all that we need to live godly lives, a gift through him who has called us to share in his own glory and goodness." God is inviting you to honor Him by living a life that fulfills the purpose for which He created you.This is really the only way to live, and everything else is just survival.True life begins with a moment of total surrender to Jesus Christ, and if you don't know if you've done it, all you have to do is believe and accept it.The Bible promises: "To those who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

Are you accepting God's invitation? First, you have to believe, believe that God loves you and made you for His purpose, that you were not born into this world by accident, that you were created to live forever; that God chose you and wanted you to be crucified for you. Jesus on the cross has a beautiful relationship; trust that no matter what you have done, God will forgive you. Second, you have to accept.Accept Jesus into your life as your Savior and Lord, accept His forgiveness of your sins, accept His Spirit who empowers you to fulfill your purpose in life.The Bible says, "Whoever believes and trusts in the Son has all things and life forever and ever." No matter where you are right now, I invite you to bow your head and pray this prayer that will change you forever: "Jesus, I believe You, I accept you." Please follow suit! If you just prayed sincerely, congratulations!Welcome to the family of God!Now you can begin to experience and fulfill God's purpose in your life.I urge you to share your experiences with others, because you will need support from others.If you write to me, I will send a booklet called "First Steps to Spiritual Growth".