Live to Glorify God

“Most men seem to live to themselves, without much regard to the glory of God, or the good of their fellow-creatures.”

—DAVID BRAINERD

So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.

—1 Corinthians 10:31

It’s important to show God glory through your life, not just through your words or spiritual acts. Start seeing ordinary daily routines as something done for God, not something to check off your list so you can search for God amidst things you think are holy. All of life is holy if lived unto the Lord. Colossians 3:23 teaches us to work heartily at every task, “as [something done] for the Lord and not for men.”

God assigns us the ordinary things of life as well as spiritual things like prayer, Bible study, and good works. He tells us throughout His Word to go to work, pay our bills, take care of our homes and bodies, fellowship with other believers, enjoy our food, rest, and laugh. When we begin seeing each activity as something done unto the Lord and for His glory, life becomes simple. We aren’t caught up in trying to do—we’re simply being what God made us to be.

Dividing the sacred from the secular causes us to live disjointed lives where we always rush through the things we see as mundane in order to get to the spiritual activities we feel God is pleased with. How can we “pray without ceasing” unless we realize all of a life lifted up to God becomes a prayer, a type of living intercession?

If I want to look good so I can glorify God, then my exercise, the time I spend fixing my hair and dressing in a fashion that’s eye pleasing, becomes a holy thing. If my motive is vanity—if the only reason I do it is for myself and what I can get out of it—then my actions are not holy. Holy things are those consecrated to God. If I am consecrated to God, if I have given Him my life, all of my senses and abilities, all of my possessions, then is it not true that all of me and my life are holy? Everything we do is sanctified if it is done unto Him.

Did you know God actually refers to His children as saints? This does not mean all our behavior can be classified as holy or we never make a mistake, but God sees us through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus. He views us as righteous when we truly place our trust and confidence in His Son (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). When we dedicate our lives to Him and strive daily to please Him in all things, then all things become holy. It is the attitudes of our hearts we discover are most important to God.

What makes life simple is having an intimate relationship with Christ; following His principles, loving Him for who He is and not just for what He can do for us—these things keep life smooth and uncomplicated. Begin to see life as one whole, not something with many divided parts, some of which are suitable for God and others which are not. If any part of my life is not suitable for the Lord, then it is not suitable for me either and should be cut out. Start removing those parts of your life you keep around only for yourself so you will have more room for the parts that glorify and honor God. Let them grow and flourish and watch how easy it becomes.