SOLA DEO GLORIA

                Sola Deo Gloria (the glory of God alone) is the last of the five solas of the Protestant Reformation that we will be dealing with in this blog. It means that everything that we do should be done for the glory of God alone. There should be no pride or self interest involved. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” This, of course, is a lofty, but impossible goal. Pride and selfishness dominates our motives and our actions. However, it is a worthy goal.

                For the glory of God alone means that we should not be striving to get rich. It means that we should not be seeking power. It also means that we should not be striving to please other people. Paul says in Galatians 1:10, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Seeking the praise of other people is incompatible with seeking the glory of God.

                Sola Deo Gloria was used by famous composers like Handel to indicate that they were dedicating their work to God. This past December I listened to a concert of Handel’s Messiah and definitely felt that God was being glorified. Unfortunately, God is not always glorified in our churches. Power struggles and church splits are clear examples of that.

Question:            Does your church do everything for the glory of God alone?