Recently, I was prepping for a lesson I was going to teach and I came across the phrase Soli Deo Gloria. I looked it up and found that it is truly a banner statement that means, “All things for the glory of God.” What a straight-forward life-goal.
Doing all things for the glory of God is a huge calling. I wondered if we humans were even capable of implementing such a tremendous task. How in the world would one go about doing that. I found it somewhat overwhelming to even consider that I would have what it takes, inside of me, to do something so monumental. What if I failed? I decided to look for counsel.
I began looking up scripture for guidance and I found a beauty:
“The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today
are to be on your hearts.
Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home
and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands
and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses
and on your gates.”
Deuteronomy 6: 4-11
Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today
are to be on your hearts.
Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home
and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands
and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses
and on your gates.”
Deuteronomy 6: 4-11
With this scripture I realized that I had already begun to implement Soli Deo Gloria. I was happy for the moment…but what was next. I wanted a deeper understanding of how to fully achieve this in my life; so, I peered further into scripture and found this:
Honor the Lord
for the glory of his name.
for the glory of his name.
Worship the Lord
in the splendor of his holiness.
in the splendor of his holiness.
PSALMS 29:2
All for the glory of God is the goal. This scripture says, “Honor the Lord for the glory of his name.” This pivotal scripture clued me in that God’s name is critical. I could write a book, and people have, on God’s names; yet, only get a glimpse of what it means to honor Him because of who He is.
What are some of God’s names? Here is the first scripture that comes to mind;
“And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9: 6
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9: 6
And another:
“Our help is in the name of the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm124:8
the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm124:8
Within these two scriptures we get a glimpse of God’s names: Mighty God, Eternal Father, Ruler of Peace, Creator of Heaven and Earth. Sounds so other-worldly and it is! This is "who" we are to glorify...but how? I came upon an article that touched on the subject of honoring God through worship and it defined worship as follows:
“To express honor to God through
extravagant respect,
reverence and devotion.”
extravagant respect,
reverence and devotion.”
This description is full of gorgeous words that fill me with awe. In human terms this is the closest we can come to understanding how to honor and worship God.
Where are all these scriptures and directives leading us? To the point! They are teaching us to live the creed “Soli deo Gloria”. They are showing us that it is humanly possible to do so by simply following the lead of scripture. Step by step we are learning how to live, who to honor, and what is important. The very first scripture above told us there is one God and we are to love Him. In the large picture, the point of our lives is to glorify the One, Lord God and do All for the glory of God; Soli Deo Gloria!
In His image we were created, in His footsteps we are to follow. There is one God that we are to worship.... and, like Him, with love and faithfulness, we are to build our lives and develop our good name:
“Let love and faithfulness
Never leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:3-4
Never leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:3-4
“The name of the Lord is a strong Tower
and the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10
and the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10
Song Recommendation:
Throne Room
By: Kim Walker Smith
Throne Room
By: Kim Walker Smith
and all I can say is Holy, holy, Holy are you Lord!"
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