The Puritan prayer, titled “Year’s End,” ends with the words, “Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or trial, as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use.” (“Meet” means prepared and appropriate for.)

Before addressing the meaning of God being glorified in us, let us first look at.

God’s Foremost Goal

According to theologians, what is God’s first and foremost goal? I’ve chosen 4.

R. C. Sproul

R. C. Sproul would likely answer that God’s first and foremost goal and desire is His own glory. Sproul frequently emphasized that God’s ultimate purpose in creation, redemption, and all things is to display His glory and make Himself known. He rooted this view in Scripture, citing passages like Isaiah 43:7 (”…whom I created for my glory”) and Romans 11:36 (“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever.”).

Augustine

For Augustine, God’s primary goal would also center on His own glory and the ordering of all things toward Himself as the highest good. Augustine argued in works like The Confessions and The City of God that God’s desire is to be glorified through the love and worship of His creation. Augustine famously stated, “You have made us for Yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in You,” emphasizing that God is the source and end of all desire.

Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards would affirm that God’s ultimate goal is His own glory in the display of His excellencies. In The End for Which God Created the World, Edwards argued that God’s glory is fully expressed in the happiness and joy of His creatures in Him. He saw God’s purpose as the harmonious union of God’s self-glorification and the joy of His people, with these two aims being inseparably linked.

John Piper

John Piper, heavily influenced by Edwards, would say that God’s chief end is to glorify Himself by being most satisfied in Himself. Piper often phrases this as “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” This view emphasizes that God’s goal is to magnify His worth and beauty by inviting humanity into a joyful relationship with Him, where His glory and our joy converge.

Each of these theologians, though varied in expression, focuses on God’s glory as His ultimate goal, with nuanced emphases on how that glory is revealed and experienced.

Now we can move to the main question:

God Being Glorified in Us

The phrases “God is most glorified in us” and “Only glorify thyself in me” express a profound theological idea: that God’s glory is not just something external to us but can be revealed and magnified through our lives. Let’s unpack these ideas.

What Does It Mean for God to Be Glorified in Us?

To glorify God means to display or reflect His greatness, worth, and beauty. When we say “God is glorified in us,” it implies that:

1. Our Lives Reflect His Character

God’s glory is revealed when His attributes—love, holiness, wisdom, and power—are reflected in our actions, attitudes, and decisions. For instance, when we love sacrificially, forgive generously, or serve humbly, others see a glimpse of God’s character in us (Matthew 5:16).

2. Our Joy in God Shows His Worth

John Piper emphasizes that when we are deeply satisfied in God—when we treasure Him above all else—we demonstrate to the world that He is supremely valuable. This satisfaction glorifies God because it communicates that He is not just a means to an end but the ultimate end itself (Psalm 73:25-26).

3. Our Dependence on God Displays His Sufficiency

When we rely on God in trials, trust Him for provision, and seek Him in prayer, we acknowledge that He is our source of strength and sustenance. This dependence magnifies His power and faithfulness.

4. Our Transformation Testifies to His Work

As God changes us through the work of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18), we become living testimonies of His grace and glory. Our transformation points others to the power of God’s redeeming love.

What Does “Only Glorify Thyself in Me” Mean?

This phrase from the Puritan prayer expresses a heartfelt desire for one’s entire life to be used for God’s glory. It conveys:

1. Submission to God’s Will

The prayer acknowledges that our purpose is not self-centered but God-centered. To glorify God in us means yielding to His plans, trusting that His ways are higher and better than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9).

2. A Request for God’s Work in Us

It’s a plea for God to work in and through us so that His glory is evident. This could include granting us grace to live righteously, strength to endure trials, and love to serve others.

3. A Desire for Purity of Motive

The prayer also reflects a longing for pure motives—that all we do, whether in worship, work, or relationships, is done for God’s honor and not for personal gain or recognition (1 Corinthians 10:31).

The Convergence of God’s Glory and Our Joy

Both Piper’s theology and the Puritan prayer highlight the beautiful truth that God’s glory and our joy are not at odds but are deeply intertwined. When we find our greatest delight in God, we naturally glorify Him because our satisfaction in Him declares to the world that He is our highest good. Similarly, when God is glorified in us, we experience the joy of living according to our created purpose.

In essence, these ideas challenge us to live in such a way that every aspect of our being—our desires, actions, and affections—points others to the greatness and goodness of God.

In Addition

Here is a devotional, titled, “The Glory of God through Man.” The devotional ends with a Coram Deo thought. R. C. Sproul emphasized that we are to love Coram Deo. This closely related to the idea of God’s glory being in us.

Full title of the article: The Moody Church: “The Flower And The Fruit” of DL Moody’s Great Work As Represented In The City Of Chicago”

An address delivered by Rev. James M. Gray, D.D., President of the Moody Bible Institute, in The Moody Church Tabernacle, on the occasion of laying the cornerstone of the D.L. Moody Memorial Church and Sunday School Building, December 16, 1924. He praises D.L. Moody and discusses (in 1924) “apostasy known as Liberalism or Modernism” and the 4 pillars of the Gospel.

https://www.moodymedia.org/articles/the-moody-church-the-flower-and-the-fruit-of-dl-mo/?utm_source=Moody+Church+Media+-+Email&utm_campaign=bdab69e554-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_985f5af69b-bdab69e554-50546013

I just learned today about the New English Translation (NET) Bible. It’s not brand new, coming out in 2001. I’m quite impressed. Here are some reasons I will use the NET Bible and their websites. (I’m not jumping to it whole hog, but plan to use it as a useful resource in understanding God’s Word).

• It has over 60,000 translators’ notes. I’m trying to understand the original Hebrew and Greek (and Aramaic), so this may help. There are 3 types of notes:
  • tn: Translator’s notes – explains the rationale for the translation and gives alternative translations, interpretive options, and other technical information. I believe this is one reason they wanted to create this type of Bible (and what makes it unique from other translations.)
  • tc: Textual critical notes, which relate to significant textual variants. Discusses alternate (variant) readings found in the various manuscripts and groups of manuscripts of the Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament.
  • sn: Study notes, as in other study Bibles. Includes comments about historical or cultural background, explanation of obscure phrases or brief discussions of context, discussions of the theological point made by the biblical author, cross references and references to Old Testament quotations or allusions in the New Testament, or other miscellaneous information helpful to the modern reader.
• NET Bible is online and free. Can have an account, have highlights and notes.
• The online (computer) version had a very nice side-by-side display. See graphic below.
• Included on the RHS (as an option) is Constable’s Notes. This Bible commentary is from pastor, theologian, and DTS faculty member Thomas L. Constable.
• The parallel view can put the Greek (or Hebrew) on the RHS (right-hand-side). This is very cool. Words on both the left and right are clickable. Very dynamic. The Strong’s number appears at the bottom. Nice! See second graphic below.
• I believe this mainly comes out of Dallas Theological Seminary (I’m sure with the help of other scholars) and I believe that DTS is a solid, biblically-based seminary.

The following article describes archaeological finds to prove facts from the Bible that skeptics have tried to claim were false.

https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/christianity/6-incredible-finds-that-proved-the-bible-was-true.aspx?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=cslewis

I asked ChatGPT: List guidelines for having a healthy, respectful, and informative discussion.

The response was 12 guidelines:

Here are some guidelines for having a healthy, respectful, and informative discussion:

1. Listen Actively

• Pay attention to what others are saying without interrupting.
• Show that you are engaged by nodding, asking follow-up questions, or summarizing what was said.

2. Respect Different Opinions

• Acknowledge that others may have different perspectives or beliefs.
• Avoid dismissing, mocking, or belittling someone else’s point of view.

3. Speak Clearly and Concisely

• Express your thoughts and opinions in a clear, organized manner.
• Avoid long-winded explanations; stay on topic to keep the discussion focused.

4. Use “I” Statements

• Speak from your own experience by using “I think,” “I feel,” or “In my experience.”
• This helps avoid sounding accusatory and keeps the discussion personal and constructive.

5. Stay Calm and Composed

• Keep your tone of voice neutral and avoid raising your voice.
• If you feel yourself getting upset, take a deep breath or pause to collect your thoughts before responding.

6. Avoid Personal Attacks

• Focus on the issue at hand, not the person you’re speaking with.
• Refrain from name-calling, sarcasm, or making derogatory remarks.

7. Be Open to New Ideas

• Be willing to consider viewpoints that differ from your own.
• Ask questions if you don’t understand something, rather than immediately rejecting it.

8. Seek to Understand, Not Just to Respond

• Make an effort to understand the other person’s perspective fully before crafting your response.
• Clarify points if needed by asking, “Can you explain more about…?”

9. Use Evidence and Examples

• Support your arguments with facts, data, or real-life examples when possible.
• This helps make the discussion more informative and grounded in reality.

10. Agree to Disagree

• Recognize that it’s okay to have different opinions and that you may not reach consensus on every topic.
• Respectfully agree to disagree if no common ground can be found.

11. Respect Time and Space

• Be mindful of the time and avoid monopolizing the conversation.
• Allow others to share their thoughts without dominating the discussion.

12. Follow Up if Necessary

• If the discussion was intense or unresolved, consider following up later to continue the conversation in a more reflective manner.
• This shows that you value the relationship and the ongoing dialogue.

These guidelines help create a positive environment where everyone feels heard and respected, leading to a more productive and informative discussion.

Here was my question to ChatGPT (genesis of this below):

There are various groups and movements that are trying to tear down Christianity or otherwise deconstruct it. Among other things, they argue against the truth claims of Christianity. Three such groups are secularism, atheism, and moralistic, therapeutic deism. Are there other groups or movements that I haven’t listed?

ChatGPT responded with nine more.

Yes, there are several other groups and movements that challenge or seek to deconstruct Christianity, in addition to secularism, atheism, and moralistic therapeutic deism. Some of these include:

1. Religious Pluralism: This movement asserts that all religions are equally valid paths to truth, effectively undermining the exclusive truth claims of Christianity.
2. New Age Spirituality: A broad and eclectic movement that often incorporates elements of Eastern religions, mysticism, and occult practices, promoting a relativistic view of truth that contrasts with Christian teachings.
3. Postmodernism: A philosophical movement that questions objective truth, including the idea of absolute moral and spiritual truths as taught in Christianity. It often promotes relativism and skepticism toward meta-narratives like Christianity.
4. Cultural Marxism: This ideology critiques and seeks to dismantle traditional power structures, including those based on Christian values. It often views Christianity as a tool of oppression.
5. Humanism: While similar to secularism, humanism specifically emphasizes human reason and ethics without reference to the divine, often viewing religion, including Christianity, as unnecessary or even harmful.
6. Progressive Christianity: While not necessarily seeking to tear down Christianity, this movement reinterprets traditional Christian doctrines in ways that often challenge orthodox beliefs, sometimes aligning more with secular or liberal ideologies.
7. Scientism: This is the belief that science alone can provide truth about the world, often dismissing religious or metaphysical claims as unscientific and therefore invalid.
8. Agnosticism: Though not necessarily hostile to Christianity, agnosticism promotes the view that the existence of God or the divine is unknown or unknowable, which can lead to a dismissal of Christian truth claims.
9. Skepticism: A broader philosophical stance that questions or doubts religious and metaphysical claims, often leading to the rejection of Christian doctrines.

These movements and ideologies, in various ways, challenge the foundations of Christian belief and seek to reinterpret or deconstruct the faith from different angles.

I was listening to a wonderful lecture by Albert Mohler titled, “Being a Christian in a Post-Christian Culture: 2010 Washington, D.C. Conference.”

Address my first three fairly extensively. (Included was the four horsemen of modern thought. Marx, Darwin, Nietzsche, Freud.)

Link: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/conferences/being-a-christian-in-a-post-christian-culture/disappearance-god?utm_source=RefNet&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=ConferenceSeries