The Import and Application of Glorifying God Through Jesus Christ
J. B. Beard. 1 Peter 4:7-11 But the end of all things is at hand: be you therefore sober, and watch to prayer.… I. THE IMPORT. The glory of God, as alone it can be affected by His creatures, consists in the homage and service which they render Him, and in the manifestation of His glorious perfections and the accomplishment of the great ends of His moral administration — the virtue and happiness of His intelligent offspring. II. THE APPLICATION. 1. God is glorified by the diffusion of such knowledge respecting His works, as tends to give a lively conviction of His existence, and His attributes of power, wisdom, and goodness. 2. God is glorified by all that manifests His providential and moral administration respecting man kind. 3. God is glorified in an especial manner, by the effectual diffusion of the gospel, since there His perfections are most plainly illustrated, His dealings towards mankind most clearly displayed, and His requirements of homage and service most forcibly delineated and sanctioned. 4. We glorify God, whenever we act under the influence of religious principle, from a sense of Christian duty, prompted by the example and Spirit of Jesus, and guided by His commands; by a sincere regard to Him as our Maker, our Preserver, our Witness, and our Judge. (J. B. Beard.) Parallel Verses KJV: But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. WEB: But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.