To understand what the Father has done, let’s take a quick look at Revelation 4…
…the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.” (Rev 4:10-11 NLT)
Did you ever wonder how you can give God honor? Danny Silk asks the question: “Isn’t that a little bit like saying ‘Bill Gates, I give you money.’?”
How can we give God honor?
Some teach it’s the crowns we throw at the Father’s feet that honor Him. I’ve got problems with that.
We will receive crowns for what we do (1 Corinthians 3:8). It’s part of our reward. Don’t think it’s prideful to look forward to the reward you’re getting. Jesus told us to store up our treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).
That’s not to say you should brag about it – no need to get your full reward while still on earth (Matthew 6:1-5 ). But please understand, what you do on earth, in the name of Jesus, will get you rewarded in heaven. Part of those rewards are crowns.
Since we can earn these crowns by doing what we do, can we really be good enough to give the “God-who-made-everything”, anything?
In a way, we bring Him honor when people see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven ( Matthew 5:16). This reveals the Father’s honor, it doesn’t add to it.
So how in heaven do we give the Father honor?
I’d love your comments. I’ll share mine in the next post.
I have thought about this and the question I have is what exactly is a good work? Is it doing my very best in my business and sacrificing myself for my clients, educating myself, being top-notch? Or, is it working with the body of Christ to help those in Sudan, or unemployed gal down the street? Or, is it laying hands on the sick and seeing them recover in amazing ways? I don’t know the answer to this question. I know when I do superior work, people don’t seem to give God glory even I tell them to. Also when doing “good deeds” people often praise us, instead of God even when I tell them to. The only time I’ve seen people marvel at God and give Him glory is after praying for miracle and then the miracle appearing before their eyes.
I’ll give my answer in the next post. You’re right in your observation. I’ll start with building from the core. Thanks so much for your comment.