That no flesh should glory in His presence. 1 Corinthians 1:2
The Guinness World Records is one of the most popular books in the world. This book is published annually, and contains a broad range of listings of human achievement, and is widely recognized as the international authority on the cataloguing and verification of a huge number of world records – the organization employs official record adjudicators authorized to verify the setting and breaking of records. The book records the human passion to exceed others and capture the glory of doing so. The Olympic Games provide another venue where athletes strive for recognition as those who are faster, higher, and more skilled than others, and winners receive ornate medals and high acolades. In fact, the world is filled with mankind’s striving for glory in every field imaginable. But glory before men doesn’t mean anything to God.
We understand that in the beginning, God enjoyed fellowship with Adam in the garden of Eden. But that fellowship was broken when Adam moved outside of God’s program to seek glory for himself. The result of that disastrous decision snowballed rapidly, with the first man born into this world turning to murder in his envy at having his brother’s offering receive higher praise than his own. And the antedeluvian world rotted rapidly, with Genesis 6:12 declaring that God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. We see corruption all around us today as humanity wallows in immorality, violence, and rebellion against God. We also see corruption within ourselves, as we compare our hearts with God’s holy and perfect standards as revealed in His word. We must readily agree with our text, that no flesh should glory in God’s presence. We have nothing in ourselves to glory about. But there is a way in which we can rise above the vain glory of ourselves and bring glory to God.
If our flesh is corrupt and our deeds are evil, how can we bring glory to God? Well, we know one Man Who brought glory to God. How did He do it? By fulfilling the will of His Father! The prophets said He would, and the Gospels proved that He did. In the accounts of the four Gospel writers, we see how the Lord Jesus always brought glory to God, and His father acknowledged it on several occasions. He is our perfect Example, and while we can never measure up to His standards, we have the help of the Holy Spirit to enable us to do what we can. To the extent that our lives are in conformity with the image of Christ, we will bring glory to God. In addition, if our hearts are worshipping the Lord Jesus, we will bring glory to God. Nothing so pleases the heart of the Father as to hear His people worship the Son.
God reached and saved us for a purpose: to bring glory to Himself. We can do that to the extent that we appreciate His son. -Jim MacIntosh