To the Praise of His Glory

Bulletin

Dan Peters
03/05/23 - Attitude

A higher ideal is given to us than I had previously thought. At times I have emphasized being faithful as the model to aim at, “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (1Cor. 4:2). These “stewards” of the gospel (Paul, Peter, Apollos - see context), are not required to be “spectacular, great, awesome,” -no, but to be “faithful”. I have pointed out that Aaron was said by God, that “he speaks fluently” (Exodus 4:14), but God didn’t choose him to be the leader. No, Moses was chosen for that, and Moses spoke poorly or as he said, “I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” (Exodus 4:10).
Moses’ faithfulness is highlighted many times. “…My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My household” (Num. 12:7), again in Heb. 3:5. Aaron the better speaker, but Moses the better leader. The difference being that Moses showed himself more humble and more faithful than his big brother Aaron. We all appreciate faithfulness. We are told even to be faithful “until death” in at least two ways.
First, a Christian is to remain true, reliable, faithful until the end of our lives as Hebrews chapter 10 tells us. A faithful Christian can encourage others because he always assembles with the church (10:25), partakes of the “blood of the covenant” (10:29), suffers for the faith (10:32), but is exhorted to “endurance” (10:36) to the end.
But secondly, we are to be faithful if it cost us our lives to do so, “Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10). Many Christians died in the first three centuries choosing to be faithful rather than recant on their faith in Jesus.
But now a higher ideal is given than faithfulness, “to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:12b, 14b). My wife is the praise of my earthly glory, raising 4 boys, a worker at home, soap-maker, clothes-maker, quilter, dental hygienist, and now grandmother to 8.5 grandchildren etc. But greater than that, Jesus is my heavenly glory,
    “He who was revealed in the flesh,
   Was   vindicated in the Spirit,
   Seen by angels,
   Proclaimed among the nations,
   Believed on in the world,
   Taken up in glory.” (1Tim. 3:16).
I boast in Jesus. I boast in my wife. But now, Paul calls upon me to be that for Jesus, to “the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:12). God deservers a better me than I have been. How can I live up to, “the praise of his glory”? Let me try. Will you try with me?
Dan Peters