Living for the Glory of God
Our culture takes pride in our learning, technology, military, and wealth. Yet God says,
“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches.” (Jeremiah 9:23 NKJV)
Instead, He tells us in Jeremiah 9:24:
“Let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight.”
When we understand and know God—and when we exercise His attributes in our own lives—He guides us through every situation.
The first attribute He names is lovingkindness—that wonderful covenant love He has toward His people. And this is love:
That while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
We didn’t think of salvation; it was His idea to redeem us.
When I was dying of cerebral malaria years ago, I learned something that I wouldn’t trade for any other experience. I had to surrender to God completely and learn that—no matter what we face—He is Lord, and all His acts are lovingkindness. We can trust Him even when we don’t understand our circumstances.
God says in Zechariah 13:9,
“I … will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested.”
How is this accomplished? In the fire. When we are under pressure, any sinful attitudes in our hearts are exposed. God uses these times to refine us and set us free from anger and bitterness. He cleanses us so we can have a right spirit. We want everything within us to be acceptable in His sight. The purpose of our struggles is to refine us. He wants to bring forth silver and gold.
God then says:
“They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'This is My people’; and each one will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’” (Zechariah 13:9)
Our relationship with God is precious to Him; is it precious to us?
When God gave instructions for the Feast of Pentecost, called the Feast of Weeks, the only offering required was the peace offering. It was an offering made by fire—not made because of guilt, but to fellowship in God’s presence. Leviticus 9:22-24 records that when Aaron made the first offerings on the altar of the Holy Place, fire came down from the Lord to consume the sacrifices. Significantly, on the Day of Pentecost, tongues of fire came down from heaven and settled on the believers (see Acts 2:3).
That fire is still burning today—
For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29)
The more we know Him and yield to Him, the more we can give Him glory and walk in a manner worthy of our calling. God bless you.
~
Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
About The Author
GORDON ROBERTSON is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Christian Broadcasting Network, as well as a member of CBN’s Board of Directors. He is also Chancellor of Regent University and the Chairman of the Board of Operation Blessing, CBN’s humanitarian organization.
The son of Pat and Dede Robertson, Gordon graduated from Yale University in 1980 and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Washington and Lee University in 1984. He then practiced law in Norfolk, Virginia, for 10 years.
In 1994, Gordon had a profound encounter with the Lord and moved to the Philippines, where he established CBN Asia. The following year, he founded the Asian Center for Missions (ACM), dedicated to training and sending Asian missionaries throughout the world. ACM is now one of the largest missionary agencies in the Philippines with more than 2,000 graduates trained in cross-cultural missions.
In 1996, Gordon created CBN Asia’s flagship television show, The 700 Club Asia, which is now one of the longest-running Christian television shows in the Philippines and is distributed by satellite around the world. Also in 1996, CBN Asia started a humanitarian organization, Operation Blessing Philippines, which has been recognized as “NGO of the Year” by the Philippine government.
Over the next three years, Gordon launched CBN centers in Indonesia, India, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Thailand. He moved back to the United States in 1999 to serve at CBN’s headquarters in Virginia Beach.
As Executive Producer of The 700 Club, Gordon oversees all aspects of programming for the ministry. He hosts CBN’s original flagship program, The 700 Club; as well as 700 Club Interactive, a daily show airing on Freeform and online; and Miracle Living Today.
Gordon has produced a number of documentaries and features as Executive Producer of CBN Films, including:
- Oracles of God: The Story of the New Testament
- Oracles of God: The Story of the Old Testament
- Written in Stone four-part series: House of David, Kings and Prophets, Secrets of the Temple, and Jesus of Nazareth
- The Asbury Awakening
- I Am Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland
- Treasures of the Second Temple
- Christmas: The Story Behind the Traditions
- To Life: How Israeli Volunteers Are Changing the World
- In Our Hands: The Battle for Jerusalem
- The Hope: The Rebirth of Israel
- Whose Land Is It? Jewish and Arab Claims to Israel
- Made in Israel
- Temple of Heaven, filmed in China
Gordon is also Executive Producer of CBN Animation’s Superbook, the reimagined animation series. Its guiding mission is to bring the stories of the Bible to the children of the world in their own languages. With over 65 episodes completed, Superbook has been broadcast to millions of viewers in dozens of languages throughout the world. Other Superbook-themed videos are also being produced and released.
Gordon and his wife, Katharyn, reside in Virginia and have three grown children.
