giving the glory
Jesus’ ministry was to glorify God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit was to glorify Jesus. Glorify means to honor and praise. Jesus’ message was to reveal the Word of God to the “elect.” The message of the Holy Spirit was to reveal the Word of Jesus to the believer. Jesus’ obedience to God’s Word brought honor and praise to Heavenly Father from him. The Holy Spirit brings glory and honor to Jesus by opening the understanding of the Word to the saints. When we speak, live and show the Word, we honor not only Jesus but also God.
Christians are not justified by hearing the Word, but by accepting and living the Word. There are many believers who have programmed themselves to hear the Word, but have not really been able to understand the Word. The Word is validated in the Believer through action. God is not honored by our attendance at a worship experience, but by our attention to the Word. Hearing the Word, and then doing nothing with the Word, does not bring glory to Him. Standing in a worship service and praising the Lord, without living the Word during the week, does not bring glory to God. What gives glory to God is being a living example of Jesus.
Hours before his betrayal, Jesus prayed, “I have glorified you on earth; I have finished the work you gave me to do.” (John 17:4) Jesus’ entire life was focused on being obedient to God’s Word. Believers are asked to do no less.
At the Last Supper, Jesus spent hours explaining what was going to happen in the lives of His disciples. Jesus told them that they were aware of the path that He should follow. Thomas spoke and told Jesus that they did not know where he was going, and how could they know the way? (John 14:4, 5) Jesus said that He was “The way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14: 6) he Then he told them that if they had really known him, they would have known the Father. Philip took the floor and said: “Show us the Father, and it will be enough for us.” Jesus responded by telling Philip that he had been with him all those years and yet he did not know him. (John 14:8, 9) Just before leaving the Upper Room for Gethsemane, the disciples reaffirmed their belief by stating that they believed He came from God. Then Jesus challenged his confession with the simple question, “Do you believe now?” In fact, He told them that in a few hours they would disperse and leave him alone to face his oppressors. (John 16:32)
After Jesus’ crucifixion, the real truth of his belief was revealed by hiding behind a locked door. Thomas would even hesitate three days after Jesus actually rose from the dead. (John 20:25) When Jesus appeared to them, He “…rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart…” (Mark 16:14)
One can hear the Word, but not really hear the Word. The evidence of our hearing is what we do with the Word. Belief is action. Faith is obedience to the Word. For three years the disciples walked and talked with Jesus, but because of their lack of understanding they failed to truly comprehend the Truth. It wasn’t until they were filled with the Holy Spirit that Faith gave birth to action. We may know the direction of a Scripture, but until we know how to turn to the Word, we have limited our spiritual walk.