Category Archives: Glorified

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Bible, Glorified, Glorify, Glory, Ministry, Romans, Scripture

GIVE HONOR TO YOUR WORK

ROMANS 11:13

“But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Therefore, insofar as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry”

I had a conversation last week with a friend about making plans for the next few years. As I approach retirement age, I am looking ahead to backing off on my ministry obligations and focusing more on my family, especially my wife. This friend reminded me that my first ministry is to my family. I know that and have tried to maintain the proper priorities in my life. But as I look toward these next few years, I know I need to reprioritize that first ministry even more. I need to honor it as God does.

At first glance, if you just read today’s verse in English, you may think Paul is bragging about his ministry. He said, “I magnify my ministry.” Now, I’ve seen some pretty proud ministers in my life, but this is NOT what Paul is saying. I don’t usually lean on the New International Version, but in this case, I like how it puts this statement. It says, “I take pride in my ministry.” That’s the thought behind Paul’s statement. He was proud and honored to be the apostle to the Gentiles.

APPLICATION

The Greek word used here for “magnify” is a fairly commonly used word in the New Testament, occurring 62 times. It is most often translated as “glorify.” One great example of this word is found in John 13:31-32. “31 Therefore when he had left, Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; 32 if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately.” Five times this word is used in these two verses. Listen closely. Everything we do should be done to glorify the Father. Any ministry He has given us is for His glory, not ours.

Who are you glorifying today? Are you taking pride in what you have accomplished? Now, there is nothing wrong with having pride for your accomplishments, as long as you give credit to the One who made it all possible. Taking pride in your ministry, honoring the work God has given you to do, is important. By doing that you will strive to do your very best.

Martin Luther King Jr. famously urged that if a person is called to be a street sweeper, they should sweep streets so well that “all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street-sweeper who did his job well.” Let your work glorify God. Let your ministry efforts have the right priority, just as I am reevaluating my own. Glorify the One who deserves all the glory and honor.

You alone are worthy of glory and honor, O God. Let my work bring glory to You. 

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Scripture, Justified, Called, Romans, Glorified, Predistined

THE GOLDEN CHAIN OF SALVATION

ROMANS 8:30

“and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”

Some things are just too beautiful for mere human words. When I look at a gorgeous sunrise, I lack the right words to describe it. I could never convey the colors I see to a person without sight. How can you put into words the colors of purple, red, gold and yellow when they intermingle at sunrise or sunset? There are a few passages in Scripture where I believe the writers struggled to convey all they were hearing from the Spirit.

Paul, I believe, was overwhelmed with the magnificence of these words in today’s verse. You need to go back and read verses 28 and 29 to get a running start today.

“28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters;”

And then we come to today’s verse that has been called the “Golden Chain of Salvation” by some. What is Paul trying to tell us in these beautiful words?

APPLICATION

The Cambridge Bible states, “So indissoluble is the chain that the last link (glorified) is here viewed as an accomplished fact because the first links (predestined, called, justified) are so.” Paul writes something similar in Ephesians 2:4-6. “4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Wow! God sees us already there.

As I wrote in yesterday’s blog, this is not a discussion about predestination. I know everyone who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior are predestined and called and justified and glorified. Why do I know that? Because He said so. It’s really that simple. I do not have to understand all the eschatological ramifications. I just believe because it’s written in His Word. Everyone needs a Savior. He is available to everyone. (John 3:16; Romans 10:13)

Do you see yourself glorified? You should if God does. He doesn’t say things like that just to say it. If He says it, it is true. Accept it. Live like it. You were predestined to be conformed in the image of His Son. You are called to Him. You believe you have been justified. So, believe that last “link in the chain.” You are glorified! Hallelujah! Praise His name.

Father, I will believe You see me as gloried. Help me today to walk glorified.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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