Most people think that the reason for God’s purpose for humanity was for our redemption. However, our redemption was and is only necessary because of the fall—clearly not God’s original intent for our creation.
You see, we look at God’s plan as us-centric rather than God-centric. We live our life, and design and execute our ministries with people in mind, rather than God. If we were honest and looked at our hearts, we might even find that our ministry ministers to us—at some level we seek ministry success to satisfy a deep need within ourselves to accomplish a lot for God—yet the aim gets misguided towards our insecurities and deep needs, rather than towards God’s glory. Yet our holy and righteous God is somewhat ego-centric, and rightfully so. Everything that was and is and will ever be is for God and His glory. Therefore, our raison d’être in life and ministry is to glorify God, and nothing more.
Now Satan had thwarted God’s plan to glorify Himself through His Creation. Satan mocks God, saying “look, humans you created for your glory follow me—all of them listen to me and sin.” This is a complete affront to God. Therefore, God’s redemptive purposes—bringing our submission and allegiance to our Creator rather than our deceiver— is to restore glory to its intended recipient, God—not simply to give us a get-out-of-hell-free card.
We ministry leaders often assume that reaching and ministering to the lost is the end, rather than a means to the end. As a result, we focus on conversion (saving souls) rather than transformation and meeting needs rather than an invitation to the Kingdom life. However, I say it again; the end is bringing glory to God. God’s redemptive purposes ultimately point back to Him.
Conversion is a poor substitute for the real deal. Conversion without transformation may (arguably—read 1 John) pull some from a fiery end. However, how does that bring God glory? Satan still mocks God saying: “the man you created continues to believe my lies and loves the world and sin even though he knows you suffered and died for that sin.” God is still mocked. Likewise, Satan knows full well that an unfruitful “believer” makes a mockery of the cross, denies the power of the Spirit to transform a life, and makes the faith unattractive to outsiders. Conversion without transformation (if that is possible) clearly does not result in God’s glory.
Now works without a Kingdom invitation likewise brings no glory to God. Do you think government welfare or the wonderful works the oil rich Muslim nations do throughout the world glorify God. No way! In fact, they steal God’s glory, because the Body of Christ should be meeting those needs. However, not simply meeting a physical need, but rather giving freedom by the power of the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ–giving living water to quench the underlying thirst, real food, to satisfy the soul’s appetite, and real freedom–to give peace that multiplies. We were created for good works, and faith without works is dead. Radically transformed people labor for the Kingdom.
Nothing short of a radically transformed life brings God glory. Changing allegiance from Satan to God, death to life, flesh to the spirit, sin to obedience, the world to the Kingdom—that glorifies our Creator! Satan has no comment or recourse. The radical transformation results in a passion for God and men that is unquenchable—leading to works of service in love. And the result, a radical departure from the world and even cultural Christianity, that leaves onlookers strangely curious as to the God that can change a person so substantially. As a result, the Kingdom expands organically.
How does your life reflect upon God’s glory? How does your ministry? What fruit is it bearing for God’s glory? Meditate on such things.
More to follow…
Marc Carrier
www.valuesdrivenfamily.com