How God is Glorified by Us
N. Byfield. 1 Peter 2:11-12 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;… I. BY KNOWLEDGE, when we conceive of God after a glorious manner. Seeing we can add no glory to God's nature, we should strive to make Him glorious in our own minds and hearts. And we may, by the way, see what cause we have to be smitten with shame to think of it, how we have dishonoured God by mean thoughts of Him. II. BY ACKNOWLEDGMENT, when in words or works we do ascribe excellency unto God, as — 1. When in words we magnify God and speak of His praises, and confess that He is worthy to receive honour, and glory, and might, and majesty (Revelation 4:11; Psalm 29:1; Psalm 86:9). 2. When men confess that all the glory they have above other men in gifts or dignity was given them by God (1 Chronicles 29:11, 13). And thus we make God the Father of glory, as He is called (Ephesians 1:17). 3. When the praise of God or the advancement of His kingdom is made the end of all our actions, this is to do all to His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). 4. When we believe God's promises, and wait for the performance of them, though we see no means likely for their accomplishment. Thus Abraham (Romans 4). 5. When we publicly acknowledge true religion, or any special truth of God, when it is generally opposed by the most men. 6. When men suffer in the quarrel of God's truth and true religion (1 Peter 4:16). 7. When on the Sabbath men devote themselves only to God's work, doing it with more joy and care than they should do their own work on the week days (Isaiah 58:13). 8. When men do in particular give thanks to God for benefits or deliverances, acknowledging God's special hand therein. Thus the leper gave glory to God (Luke 17:18; Psalm 11:3, 4). 9. By loving, praising, and esteeming of Jesus Christ above all men; for when we glorify the Son we glorify the Father (John 1:14; John 11:4). 10. When we account of and honour godly men above all other sorts of men in the world. III. BY EFFECT, when men make others to glorify God. Thus the professed subjection of Christians to the gospel makes other men glorify God (2 Corinthians 9:13). So the fruits of righteousness are to the glory of God (Philippians 1:10). So here the good works of Christians do make new converts glorify God; so every Christian that is God's planting is a tree of righteousness that God may be glorified (Isaiah 61:3). So are all Christians to the praise of the glory of God's grace, as they are either qualified or privileged by Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7). (N. Byfield.) Parallel Verses KJV: Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; WEB: Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;