Following Jesus 63

Vision refers to an aspirational, ambitious, hopeful and motivated description of what you would like to achieve or accomplish in the mid-term or long-term future. It is intended to serve as a clear guide for choosing current and future courses of action. In short, your vision is what you want to achieve or accomplish. It is your goal(s). It answers the question the question of where you, or your organization, wants to go.
 
God’s vision as outline in Scripture is to glorify Him. This means to give God the praise and honor which is due Him because He is glorious. Glory literally means weight, or heaviness. The Word of God in speaking of the glory of God (Psalm 19:1; Isaiah 6:3; Isaiah 63:2; James 2:1) refers to the heaviness, awesomeness and intrinsic or core and deep-rooted worth of God’s being. God’s glory refers to His nature, which is holy.
 
Two specific passages referring to the overall vision of the church are: 
 
  • Corinthians 10:31.  So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
  • Colossians 3:17. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:16-17 ESV).
 
Glory is not only the substance of God’s person, but also the praise and honor He is to receive from His people.  How may each believer in Christ pursue and achieve God’s vision? I submit that the answer is partially found in 1 Peter 4:7-11. I say partially because the entire Scriptures could well testify of followers of Jesus glorifying God. However, I Peter does give us some particular insights to consider. 
 
1 Peter 4:7-11. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7-11, ESV) 
 
When next we meet, we’ll examine from 1 Peter how we may glorify God. 
 

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