Discarding My Own Glory
Many of you know that I’ve been tweeting Christian quotes for almost a decade now. So I don’t come across a new quote every day, especially older ones. But a couple of days ago I found this Jean (John) Calvin quote that felt, first of all, new to me and, second of all, touching. Somehow, Jean Calvin summed up Christian faith only in few well-selected words, which is remarkable of course. But mostly I was in awe of its ability to lead me to the cross for discarding my own glory.
Discarding my own glory…
Okay, you say. Let’s just hear the quote. Here it is: “We never truly glory in God until we have utterly discarded our own glory”. It talks to me about surrender. If I have not died to myself, I can’t be resurrected in Christ. Until I have surrendered my all to God, I am not ready to live in him. Discarding my own glory is something I need to do every day. Otherwise, I try to glory in myself. And that’s not pretty, it’s pathetic.
What to do then? How can I learn to glory in God? Saint Paul guides us this way: Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. (Romans 12:1-2, AMP)
…by God’s empowering grace
I need God’s empowering grace for discarding my own glory. This, of course, goes against the grain. We’ve been taught to ‘find ourselves’, ‘follow our dreams’ and ‘make our mark in the world’. The very opposite what the gospel invites us to do. According to the gospel, we are to die to ourselves, take our cross and follow Christ wherever he leads us. At the first glance, these things are not very inviting. But if you take a closer look, you realize they lead you into the eternal life.
As A.W. Tozer has said, “To seek God does not narrow one’s life, rather it brings it to the level of highest possible fulfillment”. This is what faith is all about. Outwardly, faith might not look much. But inwardly, faith brings the highest possible fulfillment. If you have not yet found it, keep on knocking, the door will be opened for you. Discarding your own glory by surrendering to Jesus is the first step towards the highest possible fulfillment: glory in God.
Gracious God,
Thanks for surprising me with new ways to look at faith.
Enable me to keep on discarding my own glory.
I surrender my everything to you.
May you will happen in and through me.
I want to know you, glory only in you.
Create something beautiful out of my surrendered life, Lord.
Make it bring glory to you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: Does discarding your own glory come naturally to you?
Be blessed my fellow pilgrim as you let the Holy Spirit guide you to glory in God!
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash. I am linking up with #tellhisstory.
2 thoughts on “Discarding My Own Glory”
Thank you, Mari-Anna; I’m always so encouraged by the quotes you tweet, and I love your insight into this thought-provoking quote.
Thank you so much, Carlie, for your encouraging feedback. Abundant blessings to you!