Trophy of Glory

Psalms 115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.

Alabama, the Heart of Dixie, is where I reside. College football is an obsession here. Just last week the University of Alabama unveiled a statue celebrating their head coach and his National Championship. At my alma mater Auburn University, they unveiled nine foot statues of the three Heisman trophy recipients. When you get to the point that you are making statutes to commemorate trophies, it is safe to say that pride runs deep. The truth is that people want to bring Glory to the things that give them an identity and statues and trophies for gridiron accomplishments seem to be of the utmost importance.

I have a question to ask you. Have you ever considered yourself a trophy of God's grace?

Psalms 115 kicks off with a plea for God to Give Gory to His name beacsue He is so awesome , ture and loving. Notice the writer goes out of Hsi way to exclude glory form himself as he says "Don't give glory to us". At first that seems a little starange doesn't it? Saying "God give yourself Glory becasue you deserve it" may seem odd when you first consider it, but it shouldn't. This line of thought is what the entire Christian faith is about. Reflecting the glory of God as a trophy of His grace. The heart of the Christian should beat rapidly with anticipation at the thought of His Glory shining through us.

1 John 2:12 makes this oh so clear: "I am writing you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His name's sake." Did you pick that up? Your sins are forgiven so that you can shine brightly as a trophy of His grace and be proof that there is a King who has conquered death and brought you back to life. Living to bring glory to God is expressed roughly 50 times in the psalms alone. We are all prone to believe that God saves us to elevate our selves and bring ourselves glory, that theology is quite devilish.

So a challenge for you today (for those who are up for it): How do you show the World Jesus' love that He has shown you?

Have you folllowed a biblical model of showing the World that you are His in Baptism? If not, why not? All you are saying is that He has raised you to walk in the newness of Life for His name sake. You are saying in effect,"World look at me I am a Trophy of Christ!" Do you enjoy sharing the good news of Christ or is that saved for private conversations and Sunday school? Do you enjoy serving others in the name of Christ as a part of life and not just on an event basis?

I believe that many people have no idea how much joy they are depriving Christ, other people and themselves as they refuse be obedient to Christ. The one thing that will prevent any of us from submitting to becoming a trophy to His Glory is our desire for our own! Do not let your "old man" rob you of the joy of being a trophy of His Glory. It is what we are created for and remember Jesus extends mercy to helpless repentent people and not to ones who think they are doing just fine without it!