Glorifying God Like Jesus Did

“They didn’t finish” is an expression often used by sports color commentators to describe a team or athlete who should have won, but lost.

In “The Greatest Finish Fails in Sports History,” Andrew Daniels relates numerous stories of runners, cyclists, and ballplayers who celebrated their victory too early, only to lose.

Of the greatest sports failures include the 1986 Red Sox who were one out away from winning the World Series, but lost because of an error by first baseman, Bill Buckner. The Mets won game six and went to to win the series in game 7.

Often we see a team with a big lead, whether in football or basketball, get complacent, fail to execute, and end up losing.

Likewise the Bible admonishes Christians to be “faithful unto death” (Rev. 2:10). Regardless of how long we’ve been a Christian, or how old we are, we must finish.

In Jesus’ prayer in the shadow of the cross, He speaks of finishing His mission given Him by the Father.

“I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (Jn. 17:4).

Glorying God means finishing the job. Accomplishing the purpose He has given us. Completing our life’s mission.

Jesus often spoke of glorifying the Father by accomplishing His ministry and mission.

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. (Jn. 4:34).

“But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish — the very works that I do — testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. (Jn. 5:36)

For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me (Lk. 22:37)

“Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished” (Lk. 18:31)

Although there were more sick folks who could have been healed, more sermons that could have been preached, or more miracles He could have performed, Jesus accomplished the Father’s plan, completed His mission, and finished His work. In doing so, He glorified God.

What about you and me? Are we glorifying God? Are we accomplishing His purpose for our lives?

Finishing means to be faithful for as long as the Lord allows us to live. For some that’s only a few years. Recently, I’ve had friends and fellow preachers who’ve died. One was in his 30’s. Another in his 40’s. Another was 60. And two were in their 80’s.

Still living are men who in their 90’s. And they are still preaching. I recently met a man in a gospel meeting who’s 95. He attended every service of the meeting. Not only that he still goes to his office every day. I visited his office and found information on display about the meeting and various tracts on religious topics. He’s still actively sharing his faith.

As long as we have life and breathe, we are not finished. Our work is not done. Our mission is not completed. The game is not over.

Last night, someone asked me how I was enjoying “retirement.” I replied, “Well, I still preach almost every Sunday somewhere. And I’m still holding meetings.” My wife, Norma Jean, says I’m not retired. So far this year, we’ve written 254 blog posts and 12 full length articles for Pressing On Magazine. The point is, I’m not finished. Not yet.

Let’s be careful, regardless of our age or situation in life, that we don’t become side tracked with issues and activities which distract us from our purpose–glorying God.

Sometimes entire churches can become so focused on their programs that they forget their purpose. We can engage in lots of activity, but lack direction, and lose the sense of accomplishing the mission for which we’ve been created. We glorify God when we accomplish His purpose through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelistic outreach (Ax. 2:42-47).

May we like the apostle Paul run the race and be able to say as we come to finish line, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman