Christian Living

To Whom Be the Glory

by Thomas Kirkpatrick
08/31/21
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“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

The Apostle Paul is having a discussion with the Corinthian Church about who should receive glory. I am familiar with groups in the Church. There are life groups, Sunday school classes, the inner circles of people with a common interest. The Church family, after all, is a social organization. In this discussion of Paul, he talks about how people fall into clicks and adheres to only those who agree. It could be a bad thing or just a natural thing that goes on in any organization. This discussion was about one group glorifying one teacher over another. It is the same question that we find in Churches, who are the better soul winners. In Paul’s letter, he asked the question, and as Paul does, he answers it. “What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:5-6)

We have to be careful when judging people, as we are usually guilty of the same judgment. We can never decide one thing, as no one knows who has and who has not received salvation. Only God knows as He is the only judge that man should fear. I heard a pastor say once that he was not a judge but a fruit inspector. Perhaps we take the attitude of James’ statement faith without works is dead. “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18)

Paul believes that judging things that we have no knowledge of is foolishness. I know several pastors, and they are highly critical of themselves and their teaching techniques. Not that they teach falsely or poorly. We all go through the same thing as people are most harsh on themselves. It is part of our humility. They always think there was something left unsaid or something said that should not have been saying. I know the feeling, as what they fear I have accomplished abundantly. In the wisdom the Lord has given Paul, he does not judge these things, as he knows the Lord can use his effort toward the Lord’s glory. “For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:4-5)

We are to self-examine ourselves to be sound in our intentions and our doctrine, words, and deeds that give excellent representation to our Lord and Savior. We cannot judge the intent and motivations of others when it comes to the heart. Neither can we be prideful of the accomplishments of our efforts, especially when it is the Lord who has made it possible. Certainly, we cannot boast and claim glory over what we have not done ourselves. Therefore, we cannot judge the works of others. “For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

It is not that we have nothing to contribute to the work of the Kingdom of God. I have heard, like you, what the Lord wants most is our heart. A heart that loves the Lord and desires to live for Him in all their might. He created us, and He has a purpose for creating us. If God has designed us for a purpose, then He has equipped us to accomplish that purpose. He has also planned out and prepared the path for us to complete the good work for His purpose. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

All of us have one or multiple talents that are given to us at creation. “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12) Not all will have the same talent. The Lord does not need everyone to accomplish the same task. There are many tasks in the Kingdom of God, and it takes everyone working their talent for that purpose. The mission of the Church is to make disciples to go and share their light with the world. The world does not exist in the Church; the Kingdom of God does. The world exists beyond the doors of the Church.

We may have one talent or multiple talents, and that does not matter. That does make one greater or lesser, as the Lord has given you the talent to accomplish the mission you have. The talent itself does not make you great as talents are but a seed. Seeds need to grow and be developed with practice. “It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” (Luke 13:19)

Faith in God’s Word grows as you develop your talent. If you are faithful in your righteousness, then you will grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s truth and purpose. If you are faithful in the use of your talent, then your talent will become even better. It is the pattern of God’s blessings for His children. “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.” (Luke 16:10)

Knowing that God sees us in the righteousness of His Son Jesus, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) With so great a privilege being a child of God, we strive to please Him who has set us free from the bondage of sin and death. For His purpose, all that we do is the work of His Kingdom. For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

As we go through our daily living in the marketplace of the world, a world darkened by the fracture of sin, we share the light of His truth by action and deed. Always ready to give testimony of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. In all that, we do it is accomplished for the glory of God. “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

It is not our place or purpose to decide the talents given to others. We do well to know and fulfill the purposes we have been given. Not knowing the full purposes of God for our fellow believers, we should let God decide their works. Ours is to edify and encourage the body of Christ. Who they give glory to determines where the reward lies, either here in this world or the Kingdom of God. It is ours to be mindful of the stewardship of talent and His sufficient grace to use for the glory of God. Only God is worthy, as we are sinners in the loving hand of our Savior. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11)

Thomas Kirkpatrick

First Baptist Church of Durant, May 4, 2020