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."

In the fifteenth chapter of Matthew is an account of the multitudes coming to Jesus and of many being healed; but the record says, "And they glorified the God of Israel,"—that is, acknowledged the presence and power of God as the healer. This was strictly in accord with Jesus' teaching; for his unselfed love and work would not permit praise to be given to himself. The prayer which Jesus offered was a prayer of faith, faith that was spiritual understanding,—an understanding which was able to realize the allness of God and the perfection of His creation. The full Biblical record of the mighty works of Jesus is a wonderful example of how men may glorify God. His message to us to-day is: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Mrs. Eddy says practically the same thing in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 106): "It has long been a question of earnest import, How shall mankind worship the most adorable, but most unadored,—and where shall begin that praise that shall never end? Beneath, above, beyond, methinks I hear the soft, sweet sigh of angels answering, 'So live, that your lives attest your sincerity and resound His praise.'"

Are we letting our light shine? Are our lives attesting our sincerity? If so, then the good works must follow as a natural consequence, and God be glorified. Good works are dependent on understanding or knowing God; and this true knowledge includes or is accompanied by humility, subjugating all sense of a selfhood apart from our Father, divine Mind. This understanding of God as Mind, and of man as idea, brings the thought of glorifying God into an entirely new light. In human experience, as man reflects or expresses divine intelligence and Love, the sick are healed, the sorrowing are comforted, the sinner is reformed. Then, we rejoice if, when the multitudes see these demonstrations of God's presence and power, they turn from glorifying personality, as they did in Jesus day, and give God the glory. When Christian Scientists attain this desired result, there will no longer be heard such an expression as "my" practitioner. One can hardly imagine a person who was healed by Jesus' work referring to him with any sense of ownership. Jesus is the "way-shower," as Mrs. Eddy tells us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 30); and it is our duty, as faithful followers, to impersonalize our work and glorify God, in the same way he did, being obedient to the Scriptural adminition, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Does this seem to be asking too much? Mortal selfhood would answer, Yes! But it is the putting aside of this false sense of man, in every detail of our daily living, endeavoring to have and to express the Mind of Christ, which enables us to prove, little by little, that man is the image and likeness of God.

Earnest students of Christian Science recognize that the working out of their salvation must begin by learning to know God, and in all things giving Him the glory. As their understanding unfolds through the study of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings, and the practice of the truth thus learned, they will say in the words of the Revelator, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

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