October 15: REVERENCE AND WORSHIP (part 2 - GLORY)
. . . saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” Revelation 14:7
The call to fear God leads directly to the second part of this verse: give glory to Him. How are we to give glory to God? Let us meditate upon this honorable command, guided by the word of Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood (1:5).
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:10
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing… By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:5,8-10
The New Covenant is God’s Law written upon our hearts (Jeremiah 31:31,33; Luke 22:20; Hebrews 8:8-12), not only upon tablets of stone. This writing of the finger of God upon hearts is the process called sanctification. It is the work of Christ, as He is invited to abide in me (notice the mutual relationship: we are to abide in Him; but also, as individuals, each one must allow His Spirit to abide within—made evident by that which comes out, as in words and actions). As believers, each of us have this testimony if the direction of our life is heavenward: We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).
This very minute, the world is constructing an image to the beast (Revelation 13:14). May each of us, through faithfulness and loyalty to the Savior, invite His Spirit to enter daily for “construction”—from glory to glory!—for Christ’s sake and for the sakes of those who dwell on the earth. As transformation at the core of your being (and mine) progresses, we will actually lose the desire to sin, for the sinless character of Christ will rule and reign in our hearts. As you delight yourself in the LORD, the desires of your heart will settle joyfully upon that which pleases Him (see Psalm 37:4 and Philippians 2:13).
So, recognition of the essential need to fear God is a wonderful “reset” button! His power can recreate our sin-sick hearts and make them clean, that we may truly love Him. It is His joy to save us and impart strength to us (Nehemiah 8:10) that we might glorify Him. There can be no doubt that honoring His commandments becomes the lifestyle of His followers who truly revere and love Him.
If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever. Psalm 111:10
For further study: John 5:14; 8:11; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 John 3:4-5; 2 John 6