Examples of Human Freedom That Bring Glory to God
Human freedom is a fundamental aspect of Christian theology, and it is through the exercise of this freedom that believers can bring glory to God. According to the apostle Paul, believers are "made free" by Christ [1]. This freedom is not merely a release from bondage but an empowerment to live a life that honors God.
One example of human freedom that brings glory to God is liberality. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights the importance of liberality as a characteristic of saints, citing Psalm 112:9 and Isaiah 32:8 [2]. The act of giving freely and generously is seen as a way to please God, as stated in 2 Corinthians 9:7 and Hebrews 13:16. This kind of liberality is not limited to financial giving but also includes acts of kindness and service towards others, such as relieving the destitute and showing compassion to strangers and enemies [2].
The connection between human freedom and glorifying God is also evident in the writings of the apostle Paul. In Romans 15:17, Paul states that he has "cause for glorying through Jesus Christ, in those things which pertain to God" [4]. This glorying is not self-centered but rather a recognition of the work of God in the lives of believers. Similarly, in Philippians 1:11, Paul writes that believers are to be "filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" [5].
The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, interprets the freedom brought by Christ as a liberation from the law and its burdensome rites and institutions [6]. This freedom is not a license to sin but rather an empowerment to live a life of righteousness and holiness. In the view of John Gill, the glory of God is manifest in the salvation, peace, and reconciliation of His people through Jesus Christ [9].
The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, sees the glorification of God as a result of the preaching of the Gospel and the moral changes that take place in the world as a result [7]. The Protestant academic tradition, as represented by Tyndale House, emphasizes that believers become more and more like Christ as they turn to the Lord, reflecting the glory of the Lord and being transformed into His likeness [8].
The exercise of human freedom in ways that bring glory to God is a testament to the power of the Gospel to transform lives. As believers live out their freedom in Christ, they demonstrate the glory of God to the world, reflecting His character and bringing praise to His name [3].
Sources
- Galatians “Galatians 5:1 (BSB) — It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
- Psalms “The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. -- Psalms 19:1”
- Romans “Romans 15:17 (Webster) — I have therefore cause for glorying through Jesus Christ, in those things which pertain to God.”
- Philippians “Philippians 1:11 (NASB) — having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 5:1: Stand fast therefore in the liberty,.... There is the liberty of grace, and the liberty of glory; the former of these is here meant, and lies in a freedom from sin; not from the indwelling of it, but from the dominion, guilt, and damning power of it; from the captivity and tyranny of Satan, though not from his temptations and insults; from the law, the ceremonial law, as an handwriting of ordinances, a rigid severe schoolmaster, and a middle wall of partition, and from all its burdensome rites and institutions; from the moral law as a covenant of works, and as admin”
- 1 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Peter 1:11: The glory that should follow - Not only the glory of his resurrection, ascension, exaltation, and the effusion of his Spirit; but that grand manifestation of God's infinite love to the world in causing the Gospel of his Son to be everywhere preached, and the glorious moral changes which should take place in the world under that preaching, and the final glorification of all them who had here received the report, and continued faithful unto death. And we may add to this the ineffable glorification of the human nature of Jesus Christ, which, throughout eternity, will ”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 3:16: 3:16-18 The believer who turns to the Lord has freedom in the Spirit. We receive something Moses never knew as we become more and more like Christ (4:4; John 1:1-14; Col 1:15; Heb 1:1-4) and reflect the glory of the Lord. Divine glory in this present life leads to our being like Christ in the next life (Rom 8:29; Gal 4:19; Phil 3:21; 1 Jn 3:2).”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 2:14: Glory to God in the highest,.... Which with the following words, are not to be considered as a wish, that so it might be, but as an affirmation, that so it was; for the glory of God is great in the salvation, peace, and reconciliation of his people by Jesus Christ, even the glory of all his perfections; of his wisdom and prudence in forming such a scheme; of his love, grace, and, mercy, the glory of which is his main view, and is hereby answered; and of his holiness, which is hereby honoured; and of his justice, which is fully satisfied; and of his power in the accompli”