To the praise of His glory

that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. – Ephesians 1.10-12

Why?

Why did all of this happen. Why the love and the outpouring of God’s infinite grace and the adoption as sons and all of the other wonders written about? Why?

That we, who trusted in Christ, should live to the praise of His glory.

When you first read that, if you were lost or a critic of God or were looking for a reason to mock God could say that this makes God sound like He is selfish and only did what He did to make Him look good.

I know because I have read it and been told it. What kind of god would do all this to bring glory to Himself?

That seems like a fair enough question – if we are looking at God the wrong way. Sure, God expects all things to be done for His glory. He desires to be lifted up and He alone is worthy of our praise.

God, though doesn’t need our glorying in Him. I think there is a whole nother purpose. I God is love, right? God wants everyone to be saved so that everyone can avoid the penalty of sin.

Our living to the praise of His glory is to draw men to Him so that they too can find deliverance from sin and eternity with Him. We glorify God so He is seen in us. We show the world all the glory of Christ to reveal His love for the world that led Him to send His only begotten son.

We do glorify God because He is God – that is enough. However, we also glorify God to draw men to Him so they too can enjoy His love and fellowship for all eternity.