AWARENESS
You need it. You can’t live without it, but you can’t purchase it and you can’t earn it. It only ever comes by means of a gift, and when you receive it, you immediately realize how much you needed it all along, and you wonder how you could’ve lived so long without it.
In a fallen world, populated by selfish, lost, fearful, and rebellious people, it’s the one thing that everyone needs. And you can only give it to someone else when you have first been given it yourself, because you can’t give away that which you don’t have.
You see, God’s grace is the most powerful force in the universe, so I would have to argue that it’s the most beautiful word in the universe. It reaches you where you are and takes you where God wants you to be. It has the power to do something that nothing else can do: transform you at the causal core of who you are as a human being – your heart.
OVERUSED & UNDER-DEFINED
Grace, however, is also one of the most overused words in the church. I’m afraid that we use all these theologically beautiful words without knowing what we’re saying.
So you may be thinking “Okay, Paul, I get your definition that grace is the freely-given love, forgiveness, acceptance and help of God. I get that there’s nothing I could ever do to earn it, but I’m not sure I understand what grace looks like.”
WHERE DO I FIND GRACE?
It’s helpful to know what grace looks like and what it does, but if you don’t know how to access it, you’ll be left feeling discouraged. So very quickly, I want to give you two things to consider:
1. Your greatest problem in life exists inside you, not outside you. If you convince yourself that your problem is in your relationships, your location, or your situation, you’ll quit seeking grace and you’ll try to find an easy way out. But if you humbly admit that you need help, you’ll become excited about the different variations of grace that God provides.
2. Stand under the common fountains of grace. By this, I mean pursue resources of grace – attend your worship service, join a Bible study or small group, make time for personal prayer and devotions, and seek counsel from older and more mature Christians. If you want to get wet with the grace of God, stand under a fountain and trust that the Lord will send the water!
The Types of Grace
There are many different types of grace in the Bible. We will examine seventeen of them more closely.
1. Common Grace
Common grace is the grace that is freely given to all of humanity whether we acknowledge God or not. We see this grace in nature and everyday life. It is the most easily recognized form of the grace of God in the Bible!
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate – bringing forth food from the Earth: – Psalms 104:14 (NIV)
2. Prevenient Grace
Prevenient grace, also referred to as preceding grace, prepares our hearts and minds to hear and receive the Word!
The definition of prevenient grace is the Holy Spirit working within and around us. As explained in John 6:44, we cannot come to know Christ without this grace.
You can experience this type of grace through nature, modeled faith, prayers, a life event, or a sermon that speaks directly to you!
John 6 : 44
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last of days. “
Romans 8 : 28-29
Luke 5: 30-32
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.“
3. Preached Grace
Preached grace is the bringing of the Gospel to the world! This grace has the power to transform hearts, families, and even countries!
It is grace because it is only through the spiritual calling of the Holy Spirit that we have the opportunity to hear the Gospel!
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Matthew 28 : 18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
4. Saving Grace
Saving grace is the fact that Jesus Christ came to Earth and died for us. Some refer to this as justifying grace or forgiving grace.
Have you ever asked yourself, “what does God’s grace mean?” THIS is it! Grace came through Jesus Christ, meaning He died for our sins!
You are saved by the grace of God!
Ephesians 1:6-7 “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;“
5. Grace of Acceptance
Jesus Christ exemplified the grace of acceptance when He willingly came to Earth to die for us. In doing this, He accepted God’s will.
The grace of acceptance is when we come to the point of accepting our weakness and our absolute need for God. A believer’s testimony is a living example of the grace of acceptance.
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. – Philippians 2:6-7 (NIV)
6. Sanctifying Grace
What is sanctifying grace? We all seek to be made holy by sanctifying grace, meaning we want to go to Heaven! Sanctifying grace makes this happen!
It enables us to be Christians and cleanses us!
Purge means to prune. Why purge the branch?
1. To produce more fruit.
2. To make us more dependent on God.
3. To assure a believer of his salvation.
4. To glorify God. That is to draw attention to and to enlarge God.
See 1 Thess. 1:5-8
God’s judgement is to punish unbelievers. God’s pruning (chastisement) is to assure believers of their salvation. Paul tells us not to despise the chastening of the Lord. Don’t let your flesh interpret chastening to mean punishing. That could destroy your faith. Those who God chastens will always be abounding in good works. Allow God to cut off the sin in your life.
Titus 2:11-12 ” For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
7. Adopting Grace
Adopting grace is the beautiful moment when we became a part of God’s family. This grace transforms our motives for living for God.
We no longer strive to avoid Hell by adopting grace but live FOR GOD instead. We are transformed on the inside and adopt a new way of life!
For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will. – Ephesians 1:4-5 (NIV)
8. Provisional Grace
Provisional grace is a transformation in our understanding of material possessions. The provisional grace definition in the Bible states that everything we have is from God. He has provided for us! Our “worldly possessions” are from God and belong to God.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
More than our “worldly possessions”, even more importantly, our spiritual blessings are signs of His provisional grace. I refer to 2 Peter 1 :3-4 where Peter states:
9. The Grace of God’s Presence
God’s presence is another beautiful symbol of grace!
Through salvation, you are able to dwell in God’s presence! You pass through grace and emerge in God’s presence! If you have ever experienced this, you know it is a place you never want to leave!
But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace to me is not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them- yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. – 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIV)
10. Sustaining Grace
As you grow closer to God, you will realize the peace and hope provided in sustaining grace! This is another definition of sufficient grace. Sustaining grace is to live in the fullness of God’s will, meaning you know He will provide!
Sustaining grace allows you to leave worries behind and lean fully on Him! He will take care of you! He will give you all that you need! You no longer have to carry burdens alone!
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
11. Enabling Grace
Enabling grace is the spiritual gift of grace that allows us to do things we thought we couldn’t! It is the physical manifestation of our spiritual gifts!
Through the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to do the works of God! We can see that when we are not living in God’s grace, meaning we are not receiving the blessings of God, we are not living out our gifts!
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. – Romans 12:6 (NIV)
12. Serving Grace
As you come to know your spiritual gifts, you will find yourself living in a place of serving grace! It is through this kind of grace that you experienced prevenient and preached grace!
The Bible instructs us to “administer God’s grace,” meaning we are to pass it on to others!
Find your spiritual calling! Use your gifts to uplift the church and build the Kingdom of God! As you do this, you will grow closer to God!
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. – 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
13. Glorifying Grace
Glorifying grace is the process by which we conform to the image of God! This is the manifestation of our gifts and the teachings of the Word!
One gift we receive is being able to shed our old clothes and renew ourselves in the glory of God!
And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all- how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? – Romans 8:30-32 (NIV)
14. Miraculous Grace
Miraculous grace is another example of God’s grace. We know it’s miraculous because it is full of miracles!
We can see miraculous examples of grace in the Bible! To an extent, they even happen today! Grow close to God to see His miraculous work in the lives of those who love Him.
Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. – Acts 6:8 (NIV)
15. Eternal Grace
As you work through the glorious types of grace, you will find that you end at eternal grace.The Bible says that we can “live full of grace,” meaning we can live with God. Through God-given grace, we can spend eternity in Heaven!
Therefore, the promise comes by faith so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring – not only those who are of the Law but also those who are of the faith of Abraham. – Romans 4:16 (NIV)
16. Grace Of Protection
2 Kings 19:35
Ephesians 6:11-18
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
This passage points to God’s grace as a source of protection. When troubles come upon us Jesus (Lord) is our fortress that we may take refuge in. Jesus know those who believe in Him and he will be our protector in times of trouble.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
Isaiah 41:10
Psalms 32:7
17. Grace Of Wisdom
As with all aspects of the Christian life, living by godly wisdom is an endeavour that we can’t achieve by our own strength, but only by God’s grace.
1 Kings 4:28-30
28 Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
30 And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
18. Fruit Of The Spirit
This aspect of God’s grace is related to the section on Provisional grace but due to it’s importance it deserves its own category. What set’s this form of grace apart from other forms of grace is the emphasis that is placed on our spiritual needs. This work of the Holy Spirit is what produces that Christ-likeness that we read about in Romans 8:29 where Paul says ” For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren”. It’s in Galatians 5:22-23 where Paul lists the Fruit of The Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
19. Gifts Of The Spirit
It’s in 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul lists the Gifts of The Spirit.
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Grace In The Old Testament
Genesis 6
8But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
Genesis 12
Genesis 45
Genesis 50
19And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
Psalms 51
2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Isaiah 61:10
Ezra 9:8
And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Jeremiah 31:1-3
31 At the same time, saith the Lord, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.
2 Thus saith the Lord, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
God’s Grace Seen Through God’s Promises
A study of God’s Promises throughout the bible serves to enhance and confirm our understanding of God’s true nature. He is a God of Grace for now and forever. Click this link to jump to the study of God’s Promises!
Give God The Glory
A Proper Response to God’s Grace.
We all have the same calling: to glorify God in everything we do. This is why we are here. Scripture says God created us for His glory (Isa. 43:7) and instructs us to “do everything for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).
But how? How can we give glory to “the King of glory” (Ps. 24:8)? Glory belongs to God (John 17:5; Acts 7:55). God reveals His glory (Ex 24:17; 40:34; Ps. 19:1). We can observe His glory (John 1:14). But how do we give Him glory?
To glorify God is not to bestow glory on God or add to His glory, but to recognize and acknowledge His glory. The basic meaning of the word glory is “heavy in weight.” It is the “weighty importance and shining majesty that accompany God’s presence.”* The verb glorify means “to give weight to” or “to honor.” Thus, to glorify God is to recognize God for who He really is and to respond appropriately.
Here are 10 scriptural ways we can glorify God:
1. Praise Him with your lips.
“My lips will glorify you” (Ps 63:3). The noblest use of our tongues is to give praise to God.
2. Obey His Word.
To the corrupt priests in Malachi’s day, the Lord said: “If you don’t listen, and if you don’t take it to heart to honor my name, … I will send a curse among you” (Mal. 2:2). How had they dishonored God’s name? They had disobeyed God’s Law by presenting defiled food on the altar (Mal. 1:6-7; see also Deut. 15:21).
3. Pray in Jesus’ name.
“Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). To pray in Jesus’ name is to align our prayers and desires with God’s purposes.
4. Produce spiritual fruit.
“My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8). The fruit that issues out of our union with and obedience to Christ brings God glory. The Bible names several kinds of spiritual fruit, including: the fruit we bear when we win others to Christ (Rom. 1:13), the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), and our good deeds (Col. 1:10).
5. Remain sexually pure.
“Flee sexual immorality! … glorify God with your body” (1 Cor. 6:18-20).
6. Seek the good of others.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31). The context is Paul’s discussion of whether it was right for believers to eat meat offered to idols. He stated the guiding principle in verse 24, “No one is to seek his own good, but the good of the other person.” When we make lifestyle choices for the good of others, we glorify God.
7. Give generously.
The result of the Corinthians’ giving to the poor believers in Jerusalem would be that “they will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity” (2 Cor. 9:13).
8. Live honorably among unbelievers.
“Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits” (1 Pet. 2:12). Jesus said, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).
9. Be faithful when persecuted.
“But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name” (1 Pet. 4:16). If we want to glorify God, then we’ll not be ashamed of the name of Jesus.
10. Face death with faith.
Jesus predicted Peter would die as a martyr and “would glorify God” in his death (John 21:19). Paul hoped Christ would be glorified in his death (Phil. 1:20). We can show God to be great in the way we approach death because we know “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).
God’s Glory
The Bible is the story of God’s glory. Glory is a word used in the Bible to describe God’s eternal splendor and majesty. God is described as a sovereign king whose kingdom extends over all the earth. God created people in his image to share in his glory, and he endowed them with gifts, enabling them to honor Him with their lives.
Sin enters the world when Adam and Eve decide to live for themselves instead submitting to the will of God. Much of the Old Testament records mankind’s inability to live according to God’s standard because of their sin.
Instead of glorifying God with their lives, humankind shames God because of their sin. God glorifies himself by providing a way of salvation, redeeming mankind, and empowering them to once again honor God with their lives. The prophet Ezekiel outlines God’s plan for the redemption of his people.
“It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations…the nations will know that I am the Lord when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes…I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekiel 36:22-27).
Jesus fulfills God’s plan through his death and resurrection, redeeming people from their sin. Those who put their faith in Christ are given a new heart and are filled with the Spirit of God, enabling them to glorify God through good works.
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people” (Titus 3:4-8).
The Bible concludes with people from every nation joining the angels in singing praises to God’s glory (Revelation 5 and 7), sharing in God’s glory by living in his presence for all eternity (Revelation 21).
I hope that the following Bible verses about God’s glory will encourage you in your faith journey.
The Glory of God
Exodus 15:11
Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?
1 Chronicles 29:11
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.
Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Psalm 24:7-8
Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!
Psalm 97:1-6
The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.
Psalm 102:15
Nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
Psalm 145:5
On the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
Psalm 104:31-32
May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works, who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke!
Psalm 115:1
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
Isaiah 2:10
Enter the rock and hide in the dust from the terror of the Lord and from the splendor of His majesty.
Isaiah 6:3
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.
Isaiah 42:8
I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.
Isaiah 66:1
Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house you will build for Me? And where is the place of My rest?
Habakkuk 2:14
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Romans 1:19-20
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
1 Timothy 1:17
To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 4:11
Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.
Revelation 21:23-26
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.
The Glory of God In Jesus Christ
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Hebrews 1:3
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Colossians 1:15-19
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.
Matthew 17:5
He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Matthew 24:30
Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
John 17:4-5
I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
1 Peter 1:16-18
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
Psalm 8:4-6
What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.
Glorify God through worship and service
Isaiah 43:7
Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.
1 Chronicles 16:23-25
Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,and he is to be feared above all gods.
1 Chronicles 16:28-29
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
Psalm 29:1-3
Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters.
Psalm 63:2-3
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
Psalm 86:12
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
John 5:44
How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
1 Corinthians 6:20
For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Philippians 1:9-11
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 2:11
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Experiencing God’s Glory
2 Peter 1:3-4
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
Exodus 24:17
Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
Exodus 33:18-20
Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”
Exodus 40:34-35
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
Leviticus 9:22-24
Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
Deuteronomy 5:24
And you said, ‘Behold, the Lord our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire. This day we have seen God speak with man, and man still live.
Isaiah 58:8
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
John 11:40
Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
Romans 5:2
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Colossians 1:27
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
1 Peter 4:13-14
But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Doxology
A doxology is a verse, a song, or an expression praising the glory of God. Oftentimes liturgical church services close with a doxology praising the glory of the Lord. This tradition can be traced throughout the Bible. A few samples are below.
Jude 1:24-25
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21
Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 5:11-13
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”