Article July 29, 1922 Issue

Giving God the Glory

EDITH M. SHANK

In his first epistle to the Corinthians we find this admonition given by Paul: "Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" What does it mean to glorify God? That question, presented to-day to any individual who is not a student of Mrs. Eddy's writings, would probably be answered in the words of the dictionary definition, "To worship, to adore, to praise, to honor." But, pressing the question a little farther to the individual, whether he be classed as Christian or non-Christian, intellectual or ignorant, rich or poor, one would find, in all probability, that his concept of worshiping or glorifying God was almost entirely verbal praise,—a form of prayer at home, or participation in some ceremony at a church service.

Now, the admonition to glorify God, found throughout the Bible, surely means more than the mere thinking or voicing of words about God. Then, too, it is evidently a good thing, as well as a duty, to follow this Scriptural advice. But how are we to obey any command, or heed any wise counsel, if we do not rightly understand it? Therefore, let us consider thoughtfully the question presented above: What does it mean to glorify God? Students of Christian Science know that there is a right answer to every question. The truth about everything is always present; and it is our privilege to know this truth.

The writer, when beginning to study the Lesson-Sermons, was much puzzled and perplexed by the repeated admonitions, found especially in the New Testament, to give God the glory. It seemed to her absurd that an all-wise and mighty Deity should demand praise and worship and glorification. This question was pondered deeply for weeks as she continued to study the teachings of Christian Science. Finally, her concept of God as a corporeal being gave way before some small understanding of God as Mind, Life, Truth, and Love. What a joy,—this learning to know God aright! As the truth about God and man's relationship to Him continues to unfold, we naturally and without effort glorify God by acknowledging Him as the only cause and creator, the one power, supreme and ever present. Jesus truly glorified God when he said, "I can of mine own self do nothing;" and, "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."

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