The Girl Next Door ☎︎: Wise Word Wednesday

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Wise Word Wednesday

"Christ is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him"

John Piper

I would have to say that, apart from any scripture, these are my favorite "wise words". I admire John Piper and am so thankful for what the Lord has taught me through Piper's books and sermons. This statement is John Piper's most famous quote and it is a truth I need to be reminded of daily. These thirteen words imply so, so much!

Christ glorifies Himself. God is a self-centered God. This type of self-glorification is not like the attention-seeking pursuits of man, but is the natural and holy thing to do since God is the most supreme being of the universe. Everything He does is so that He will be glorified.

{ For my name’s sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. Isaiah 48: 9-11}

Christ demands our joy. We were created to glorify something. We seek fulfillment in something greater than ourselves. But there is only one "something" that can satisfy this longing in our hearts. God knows that we will only find joy in Him; therefore, He commands us to serve Him as He the only thing that will give us permanent joy. Christ loves us by giving us what is best for us--Himself.

{ Whoever serves, [let him do it] as one who serves by the strength which God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. l Peter 4:11 }

Serving Christ gives us joy. Loving God is not something that we do out of duty, but something we do because we want to. The same reason a man gives flowers to his wife on their anniversary, is the same reason we should give God glory--not because we have to but because we are happy to. If a man did not show his wife that he loved her, then that love would not make him completely happy. Our joy in Christ is made complete in acting on that love by praising Him. The fullness of joy in someone or something is fully achieved when it is fully expressed.

{ In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 }

We cannot add anything to God. When greedy people serve money, they do not benefit money, rather money benefits them. People pour time, effort, and energy into receiving all they can from money. In this case, people are the beneficiary and money is the benefactor. In the same way, we serve God and reap His benefits. We pour our time, effort, and energy into positioning ourselves under the waterfall of God's blessings. We, as servants of God, are the beneficiary and Christ is the benefactor.

{ He God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth,does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. Acts 17:25 }

True love is pointing others to Christ. Love is wanting what is best for another. Since we can only find lasting joy and satisfaction in Christ, He is what is best for every individual. Love is wanting Christ for someone else. When we distract others from Christ through our words, actions, or desires, we are not expressing our love for them. If you truly love someone, do not distract them from the joy of serving Christ.

{ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 }

Is your life all about the glory of God?

{ From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36 }