What brings you glory?

About a month ago, the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup. What a glorious moment for the team!

Now, the Rays have made it to World Series. Will they also experience the glory of a national championship victory?

We talk about glory in several ways, but there is only one form of glory that truly lasts. The glory of the Stanley Cup or World Series victory will fade. Glory in battle fades. Glory in Christ is eternal.

We do not find glory or righteousness in doing the right thing, avoiding temptation, or saying the perfect thing. We find our glory and righteousness in Christ alone as a gift according to the grace of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do we receive glory for glorifying Christ’s name in our lives?

It is a high and excellent goal that the name of the Lord would be glorified in us, in every aspect of our lives. We certainly desire to do what is right and to follow Jesus in all that we do, but even our best works are like filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6). So, our efforts to glorify God in our lives do not bring us glory.

However, by the grace of Christ Jesus, we are made righteous in God’s sight; not because of what we have done, but what He has done. Indeed, God is glorified in the grace and forgiveness He gives to us by His work on the cross and our glory, as well, is a gift.