Is there space for God’s glory and power?

“To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”

You may heard the reading of these words at the end of a prayer or in a benediction* at the end of a church service. This verse from the Bible, 1 Peter 4:11 and others like it (Rom. 16:27; Phil. 4:20; 1 Tim. 6:16; 2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 13:21; 1 Pet. 5:11; 2 Pet. 3:18; Jude 25) are what’s commonly known as a doxology**, or short phrase praising God. Have you ever considered the practical application of these words in your life? Let me share some thoughts on this. But first here is the context of these words:

The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7–11, CSB)

To live with increasing peace and joy from God we need to internalise these words, truly believe them and live them out: Jesus is the one at the centre – he has the power and he gets all the glory. As humans in a broken world our tendency is often to make our life all about us. What do I want? Am I getting my way? What about me? We give our opinions and provide our worldly wisdom. When we want something, we try to make things happen in our own strength. If we find a measure of success in life, we start to think it’s because of our own power. However, the result is Jesus doesn’t get the glory we do. When everything rises and falls on us, what a precarious place we are in. When the winds of change begin to blow, our success can quickly become our failure.

In contrast however, our life was meant to have Jesus at the center. It’s not what I want but rather what Jesus wants.

Therefore, “If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything.”

When Jesus is at the centre of our life rather than us at the centre, our life is in the service of others. God has given us gifts and abilities not to benefit ourselves, but to benefit others:

“Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.”

A self-centered life is ultimately a shallow and empty life doomed to meaninglessness and despair. The self-centred life often becomes full of bitterness and anger, focused inwardly, resentful for what has been kept from us. God’s life for us however, is one of grace, mercy and love directed towards others.

“Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

When we love others we put them before ourselves. Love is not self-centred. Peter says here “Above all, maintain constant love for one another”. More than anything else – remain loving. Wow! God’s promise to us is that if we remain constant in love for others this will remedy a lot of our other mistakes. We all need cover for our other mistakes! Maintaining our love for others also keeps our heart soft. We need a soft heart because this is where we have access to God. Our heart is the place where the Spirit resides within us and it is the place of our communion with God. A soft heart is ready to hear God speak and ready to rely on God’s strength and power. A soft heart is our place of our prayer. Jesus will return one day and it vitally important we are attentive and in communion with him when he comes (Matt 25:1-13).

“The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer”.

 *Benediction is a prayer of blessing

** Doxology - The Greek word “doxa’ means ‘glory’