Dear Congregation,
Much of what the Reformation was about, and which distinguish historic Protestantism from other expressions of the Christian faith is defined in five short statements which we have been considering: sola scriptura, sola fide, solus Christus, sola gratia, and now fifthly, soli Deo gloria – ‘the glory of God alone.’
This one sums up the point of all the others. If God and God alone is not the one who saves, then He shares His glory with creatures. But as the prophet Isaiah tells us, God will share His glory with no one:
| “I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images.” Isaiah 42:8 |
In saying the five solas we are saying that salvation is of the Lord from beginning to end. As R C Sproul wrote,
‘Yes, I must believe. Yes, I must respond. Yes, I must receive Christ. But for me to say “yes” to any of those things, my heart must first be changed by the sovereign, effectual power of God the Holy Spirit. Soli Deo gloria.’
Flowing on from that, when we worship God we are therefore glorifying God. When we speak well of Him. When we honour Him by and in prayer. When we trust Him in difficult providences, remaining faithful under pressure and persecution we are glorifying God. There are many deliberate conscious ways of glorifying God.
But what the Reformers also understood is that this is to be a ‘whole of life’ reality, not simply in things that we might classify somewhat specifically ‘spiritual.’ They spoke of ‘Soli Deo Gloria’ – ‘the glory of God alone,’ as that which drove them in every area of life, and they find this call a privilege bestowed on them by the grace of God through our precious Lord, Jesus.
For Paul, God’s glory is ultimate, and it is ultimately connected to Jesus Christ, a reality which we are conscious of across the whole of our life:
| “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” – 2 Corinthians 1:20 “…being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” – Phil 1:10 “… and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Phil 2:11 “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31 |
A believer’s holiness is to redound to doxological praise.
| “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16 |
Johann Sebastian Bach wrote the initials SDG at the bottom of each manuscript to communicate the idea that it is God and God alone who is to receive the glory for the wonders of His work of creation and of redemption. He saw this as the ultimate aim of his talents and craft, and the desire through it in the lives of others.
Steve Lawson pointed out that the great American Theologian, Jonathan Edwards, who lived some 300 years ago, lived with one driving passion: soli Deo gloria.
‘His master purpose in all things, his overarching aim in all of life, was to bring honour and majesty to the name of God. He desired to exalt the greatness of God with every breath he drew and with every step he took. Every thought, every attitude, every choice, and every undertaking must be for the glory of God.’
Do we know this soul-capturing vision of this all-supreme, all-sovereign, and all-sufficient God who has saved us from sin to Himself for His own glory? If so, we will find that it is translated into daily Christian living in practical ways. This is life-altering truth. It produces a people devoted solely to the Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We do well to regular reflect on the glory of God and how commitment to God’s glory alone fortifies us to live godly lives in this present evil age.
soli Deo gloria
Together in Christ’s love and service,
John
Your Pastor