Coming Short of God's Glory

Most Christians know Rom. 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We usually refer to this verse in teaching and in preaching to point people to the need for God in Christ, being that "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" - Rom. 6:23. While we remember that all have sinned and while we are able to focus on our sin, there is a part of Rom. 3:23 that we often forget about. It is the second half of what all have done and continue to do - fall short of God's glory.

We need to recognize that there is major problem facing the church today (and all of society as well) concerning the truth about the glory of God. We do not give God the honor that is due Him. We fail miserably to worship in humble adoration, to recognize the great splendor of the Creator, Who alone is every good thing and in Whom all things consist. We are so far away from comprehending God's glory that we often just don't try to comprehend it or respect it. But there still is no excuse. God deserves to be worshipped (Rev. 4:11). God deserves to be glorified (1 Pet. 4:11). The question is, "What are we going to do about it?"

It seems to be that our failure to glorify God exists for two reasons: 1) We have forgotten who we are and what we've been given. 2) We have forgotten who God is and what He can supply. I invite you to enter in to a study about the glory of God and to consider the following verses: (Ex. 33:18-23; 34:29-35; Matt. 16:27; 24:30; Luke 2:14; John 1:14; John 2:11; Acts 12:23; Rom. 2:7; Rom. 16:27; 1 Cor. 1:30,31; Gal. 6:14; Phil. 4:19; Col. 3:14; Jude 25). These are only the beginning of what the Bible teaches on this subject, but I believe that we would help ourselves find our proper place again by reading them. More importantly, some reflection will help us to put our God where He belongs in our minds and in our hearts - high and lifted up!

As we worship, let us sing with our hearts. In prayer let us be prostrate before His throne. In partaking of the Lord's Supper, let us examine ourselves and the sacrifice of Jesus. In the reading of God's word, let us comprehend the depth of God's message. In giving, let us compare our gift to His. In preaching, let us honor God's truth and make it ours. In living, let us give everything to the glory of God - where our accomplishments He establishes, our possessions are only borrowed, and our futures face the shining of the Son!

Take time to be holy. Consider the greatness of our God. His glory outweighs anything we can ever imagine - and what's perhaps the most amazing part of it all, He wants to share this glory with us!

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth, for you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory." - Col. 3:1-4 (emp. added)

"To God be the glory, great things He hath done!"