How to Truly Glorify God
Living Coram Deo
You’d be hard pressed to find a Christian who would say they want to live their life to glorify God.
But when asked what that looks like, many of us wouldn’t know how to answer.
I’ve been studying I Corinthians 10:31 for the better part of a year, maybe two. Writing Body & Soul required it.
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
This “glory mentality” compelled me. That we might work for the glory of God. Rest for the glory of God. Eat for the glory of God. Work out for the glory of God. Live our sex life, social media life, movie and tv watching life and all other embodied activity life for the glory of God.
But it left me wondering…what exactly does that look like?
The question took me dive diving into the subject of God’s glory.
Since taking it on, I’ve studied Moses’ experience with it, Isaiah’s vision of it, Ezekiel and Stephen’s encounters with it, and John’s account of it Revelation.
I came across a Latin phrase from Christian theology: “Coram Deo” — which means: in the presence of God or before the face of God.
To live Coram Deo is to live one’s entire life in God’s presence, under His authority, and for His glory, recognizing that every aspect of your life is lived out for Him. It is, in essence, to be completely devoted to God.
And in all this, I’ve come to the conclusion that most of our struggle with the vastness of living our life for the glory of God is our belief that somehow, we bear the weight of responsibility in the glory, itself. Yet it couldn’t be father from the truth.
The truth is, we don’t create God’s glory — we can’t. The glory only belongs to God and comes from God. We can only reflect it, bear it witness, declare it through our life (like the heavens, through their beauty — see Psalm 19:1).
Through God’s redeemed people, we show others what God is like by reflecting His glory.
When we do things like:
Love people who hurt us
Forgive people who don’t deserve it
Live with humility
Speak truth with grace
Serve sacrificially
Live well in our bodies for the Lord, not for a goal of self
Through these things, others say:“that’s what God is like.”
“You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” -Matthew 5:14–16
Questions:
How are you living your whole embodied life for the glory of God?
What does it look like for you to live to bring God glory in the day-to-day?