I've done a few Beth Moore bible studies and have loved all of them because she digs into the word and the history of the specific book the study is on and I always find I learn so much. If you've never done a Beth Moore study, I strongly suggest it. They are seriously so good! And this one is no exception! It is only the second week of the study and I'm totally encouraged by her teaching. Today's homework really spoke to me. It was about glorifying God.
Beth listed a number of scriptures that talked about God's glory and what it was. Through studying the versus we learn that His glory is the way he makes Himself recognizable and shows who He is. In Isaiah 43:7 it says "Everyone who is called by name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." Being created for God's glory means He wants to make Himself recognizable to us, and to make Himself recognizable through us. We were created to represent God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Wow! Big shoes to fill! How are we as sinners supposed to represent God?! Jesus of course! John 1:14 talks of the Word becoming flesh (Jesus) the glory of the One and Only. Jesus came from the Father and became His glory. Colossians 1:27 reveals that Christ is in us, the hope of glory! "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." When we receive Christ as our saviour, the Holy Spirit then resides in us. I love the way Beth words it in the study, 'we glorify God to the degree that we externalize the internal presence of the living Christ.' Sobering words! Are we living in a way that reveals Christ through our actions and words? Are we living up to our purpose of glorifying God? Can others recognize Christ through us? This isn't an over night process by far! It won't come easy and we are sinners who will fall short, but there is hope.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 " Now The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of The Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from The Lord, who is the Spirit." God is changing us into Christ's likeness. As we grow in spiritual maturity, the Spirit of Christ becomes increasingly recognizable in us.
The lesson today has really inspired me and encouraged me to keep pursuing spiritual maturity so that I can glorify God. I want people to see God in me. I have fallen short so many times, and missed so many opportunities to glorify God, but I can take comfort in knowing The Holy Spirit is in me and each day is an opportunity to grow "into his likeness with ever-increasing glory."
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