Glory Where?

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Where does God get the glory?  In the broadest sense, we can say that He gets the glory in everything, in that He overrules even the worse of circumstances for His Own glory.  We can look to creation, and even the darkest hours of history to see the Hand of the Almighty preserving the testimony of Christ and the advancement of His Kingdom.  God receives glory most specifically in the church.  The Church is neither organization nor denomination, but rather all of the redeemed people of all ages.  In the lives of these people, individually and collectively, God gets the glory.  He does so by what He makes of them in Christ.  Christ, said, ‘I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’  By this, He was declaring that He would build His people into the formidable force that would carry the battle for truth to the very fortress of evil.  This is intensely spiritual work.  It does go forward with carnal weapons and earthly warfare.  It is the teaching and preaching of Christ, and the living out of genuine Christlikeness that will bring God glory.  To that end we make much of Christ, for He deserves the glory in all things and most particularly in His Church. 

Our Glorious Living God,
we rejoice that You have determined
to get glory for Yourself
in the lives of Your redeemed people.
We praise You that although we do not always see,
how You are doing that,
yet You see it and are glorified by it.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning