BEREAN.AI ← Ask a Question

Using Examples to Illustrate God's Character and Glory Effectively

God's character and glory are revealed through various aspects of His being and actions, providing numerous examples for understanding His nature. The heavens themselves declare God's glory and handiwork [7]. This glory is exhibited in His name, majesty, power, works, and holiness [1].

One primary way God's glory is displayed is through His Son, Jesus Christ. Christ is presented as the image of God, through whom all things were created [2]. John 1:14 states that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth, and "we have seen his glory" [1]. The glory of God is also seen in Christ's role as the Son of God, as one with the Father, and as the First-born and First-begotten [2]. He is described as Lord of lords, the Blessed of God, Mediator, Prophet, Priest, King, and Judge [2]. The New Testament further emphasizes that God's glory is revealed in Christ, as seen in 2 Corinthians 4:6 and Hebrews 1:3 [1].

God's character is also illustrated through His attributes and interactions with humanity. His glory is described as great, eternal, rich, and highly exalted [1]. God takes joy in His people, particularly on account of their repentance, faith, fear of Him, prayers, hope in His mercy, meekness, and uprightness [5]. This joy leads Him to prosper, do good to, deliver, comfort, and give inheritance to His people [5].

Humanity is called to glorify God [6]. This is commanded in scripture, as seen in 1 Chronicles 16:28 and Psalm 22:23, and is due to Him for His holiness, mercy, truth, faithfulness, wondrous works, judgments, and deliverance [6]. Glorifying God is accomplished by relying on His promises, praising Him, and doing all things to His glory [6]. Christ serves as an example of glorifying God, as stated in John 17:4 [6].

The concept of humility is also central to understanding God's character and our relationship with Him. Humility is necessary for serving God (Micah 6:8), and Christ Himself is an example of humility (Matthew 11:29, John 13:14-15, Philippians 2:5-8) [3]. Those who are humble are regarded, heard, and delivered by God; they enjoy His presence, are lifted up and exalted by Him, and receive more grace [3].

Diligence is another characteristic that reflects God's expectations for His people, with Christ again serving as an example (Mark 1:35, Luke 2:49) [4]. God requires diligence in seeking Him, obeying Him, hearkening to Him, striving for perfection, cultivating Christian graces, guarding souls and hearts, performing labors of love, following good works, guarding against defilement, seeking to be spotless, making one's calling sure, and self-examination [4].

The glory of God is also evident in His works of creation, though divine revelation, particularly through the word of God, provides a more complete understanding, especially for humanity in its fallen state [9]. The Psalms frequently emphasize God's glory, with Psalm 8 beginning and ending with an acknowledgment of the transcendent excellency of God's name [8]. The psalmist provides instances of God's goodness to man as proof of His glory [8].

The parables of Jesus often use surprising imagery to illustrate the Kingdom of God, emphasizing the contrast between humble beginnings and glorious consummation, and encouraging patience among His disciples [10]. The glory of God is not merely an abstract concept but is actively displayed and experienced, enlightening the Church and desired by saints [1].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory of God, The — Exhibited in Christ -- Joh 1:14; 2Co 4:6; Heb 1:3. Exhibited in His name. -- De 28:58; Ne 9:5. His majesty. -- Job 37:22; Ps 93:1; 104:1; 145:5,12; Isa 2:10. His power. -- Ex 15:1,6; Ro 6:4. His works. -- Ps 19:1; 111:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11. Described as Great. -- Ps 138:5. Eternal. -- Ps 104:31. Rich. -- Eph 3:16. Highly exalted. -- Ps 8:1; 113:4. Exhibited to Moses. -- Ex 34:5-7; 33:18-23. Stephen. -- Ac 7:55. His Church. -- De 5:24; Ps 102:16. Enlightens the Church -- Isa 60:1,2; Re 21:11,23. Saints desire to behold -- Ps 63:2; 90:16. God”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Joy of God Over His People, The — Greatness of, described -- Zep 3:17. On account of their Repentance. -- Lu 15:7,10. Faith. -- Heb 11:5,6. Fear of him. -- Ps 147:11. Praying to him. -- Pr 15:8. Hope in his mercy. -- Ps 147:11. Meekness. -- Ps 149:4. Uprightness. -- 1Ch 29:17; Pr 11:20. Leads to him Prosper them. -- De 30:9. Do them good. -- De 28:63; Jer 32:41. Deliver them. -- 2Sa 22:20. Comfort them. -- Isa 65:19. Give them the inheritance. -- Nu 14:8. Illustrated -- Isa 62:5; Lu 15:23,24. Exemplified Solomon. -- 1Ki 10:9.”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glorifying God — Commanded -- 1Ch 16:28; Ps 22:23; Isa 42:12. Due to him -- 1Ch 16:29. For his Holiness. -- Ps 99:9; Re 15:4. Mercy and truth. -- Ps 115:1; Ro 15:9. Faithfulness and truth. -- Isa 25:1. Wondrous works. -- Mt 15:31; Ac 4:21. Judgments. -- Isa 25:3; Eze 28:22; Re 14:7. Deliverance. -- Ps 50:15. Grace to others. -- Ac 11:18; 2Co 9:13; Ga 1:24. Obligation of saints to -- 1Co 6:20. Is acceptable through Christ -- Php 1:11; 1Pe 4:11. Christ, an example of -- Joh 17:4. Accomplished by Relying on his promises. -- Ro 4:20. Praising him. -- Ps 50:23. Doing all ”
  7. Psalms “The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. -- Psalms 19:1”
  8. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 8 (introduction): This psalm is a solemn meditation on, and admiration of, the glory and greatness of God, of which we are all concerned to think highly and honourably. It begins and ends with the same acknowledgment of the transcendent excellency of God's name. It is proposed for proof (Psa 8:1) that God's name is excellent in all the earth, and then it is repeated as proved (with a "quod erat demonstrandum" - which was to be demonstrated) in the last verse. For the proof of God's glory the psalmist gives instances of his goodness to man; for God's goodness is his glor”
  9. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 19:7: God's glory, (that is, his goodness to man) appears much in the works of creation, but much more in and by divine revelation. The holy scripture, as it is a rule both of our duty to God and of our expectation from him, is of much greater use and benefit to us than day or night, than the air we breathe in, or the light of the sun. The discoveries made of God by his works might have served if man had retained his integrity; but, to recover him out of his fallen state, another course must be taken; that must be done by the word of God. And here, 1. The psalmist gives”
  10. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:31: 13:31-33 Jesus used surprising, evocative imagery in these parables, either to emphasize the inevitable growth of the Kingdom through proclamation of the gospel or, more probably, to emphasize the contrast between insignificant beginnings and glorious consummation, and to exhort the disciples to patience (see also 16:24–17:13).”
Ask Your Own Question
About Terms Privacy Contact

© 2026 BEREAN.AI. All rights reserved.