Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Jan 3, 2024 - Giving God the Glory”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsGiving God the Glory
Reading: Galatians 1:18-24
Paul continues his careful accounting of his travels after his conversion. This is more than a history lesson; he is detailing the fact that his message can directly from Jesus rather than from the apostles. He visited Jerusalem (where we might expect that he would study under the apostles), but saw only Peter and James and stayed only 15 days (Gal 1:18-19). He affirms this with an emphatic oath (Gal 1:20), which may imply that the Galatians would have disputed his account. He then traveled to the far-flung areas of Syria and Cilicia (where he was from). All the while he was preaching a message about Jesus that he must have learned somewhere.
His trip to Jerusalem was so short that “I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They were only hearing it said, ‘He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they glorified God because of me”(Gal 1:22-24). Even though most of the Jewish Christians did not know him personally—though certainly they did by reputation—they heard the amazing report that Paul had abandoned his persecuting efforts and become a believer. Yet he was not just a believer, but a preacher—which again begs the question of where he got his message. Amazingly, these good brothers and sisters “glorified God because of me,” in awe of a God who can win over such a determined and violent enemy.
This reaction is noteworthy. Giving God the glory means overlooking the evil Paul had done that may have directly impacted them (imagine Stephen’s widow!). It also means praising not the person doing the good deed, but the God who has inspired, empowered, instructed, and motivated the person to do it. Jesus teaches his disciples to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”(Matt 5:16). When God reaches people we wouldn’t expect—when Christians act in ways the world never would—when we are blessed by our association with the gospel, it is God who deserves credit.
-----------
One Thing to Think About: What people, circumstances, and good deeds can I give God glory for today?
One Thing to Pray For: God’s life-changing power to be at work in me
