The three kinds of glory

By Elizabeth Prata

God's glory...it should consume us. We should be eager for wanting to see it, (Exodus 33:18) to give it, (1 Corinthians 10:31) to bask in it. God's glory is one of the attributes that are indispensable for helping us understand who God is.

Did you know there are three kinds of glory? There is:

1. Ascribed glory. This is the glory we give to God when we praise him or when we obey him. When we say we want to glorify God in our life, this is the kind of glory that is ascribed to Him. It is a glory that he receives.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." (Revelation 4:11)

(This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me." (John 21:19).

2. Manifest glory. This is the glory that God shows. It is manifested in the world. It is the revelation to us of who He is.

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." (Isaiah 6:3)

Yet as surely as I live and as surely as the whole earth is filled with the glory of the LORD (Numbers 14:21),

And blessed be His glorious name forever; may all the earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen. (Psalm 72:19)

May Your work be shown to Your servants, and Your splendor to their children. (Psalm 90:16)

3. Intrinsic glory. It is the sum and substance of all that God is. It is the glory He possesses, always has had, and always will have. We cannot give God intrinsic glory. We cannot add to this glory. His glory is the sum total of all that God is, even though God's attributes cannot be divided. (Hard to explain). He is who He is, and that includes the glory of God.

His glory is great-
and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD. (Psalm 138:5).

His glory is rich-
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (Ephesians 3:16).

His glory is eternal-
May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works,  (Psalm 104:31)

May we give God glory in all we do, all we think, all we pray, all we say. In all.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1)


RESOURCES

Steve Lawson OnePassion- The Intrinsic Glory of God

Steve Lawson Ligonier - The Centerpiece of God’s Saving Purpose in the Universe

The Master's Seminary - 6 Ways You Can Put God’s Glory on Display


Comments