Christianity in Context | Glorify God in Life

From time to time, I have taught classes prompted by questions asked by members of the class. Some teachers cringe at that style of teaching. The teacher can’t “prepare” for class ahead of time. The teaching content – even how to glorify God – provides answers to the questions, immediate responses to the queries asked. Educators call this a part of the Socratic Method of Teaching.

When we talk about tests, I tell every class that I teach in college, “I can make a test difficult enough that every one of you would fail. If I couldn’t, I shouldn’t be teaching this class.” I need to know more than the students – you can’t lead somewhere into places you have never gone before yourself.

Although it sounds scary, to be honest, parents teach that way all the time. “Mrs. Cleaver, your son cheated on the examination today.” Sit down, Beaver. You are about to attend class.

The real challenge for a teacher develops a handful of goals for the teaching session and then crafts the answers to the questions asked and still meets the goals.

The Socratic method of teaching derives from what we know of the Greek philosopher, Socrates. In order to be certain of what his students thought, he would ask them questions exposing any contradictions in their thinking. Socrates also used the method of questioning to encourage people to ponder the things and to look beyond the surface.

A Question Worth Considering

Bill’s question is a great place to start today, because it touches on the fringes of several other questions that were raised as well. “How do I glorify God when my Mom is dying of cancer?” We want to know where God is when we are hurting.

We shiver at the question because of the emotions of fear, pain, inconvenience, grief and possible loss tied to the experience of cancer. Truthfully though, the answer is the same whatever the circumstance. “How do I glorify God when my Mom was just given a huge promotion that doubled her salary?”

Christianity demands life in a context. My faith is not just a headful of things to believe, but the beliefs are foundations for how I choose to act. When I am consistent to my beliefs, I will act a certain way. When I choose – for one reason or another – to be inconsistent to those beliefs, my behavior changes.

An Example from Paul’s Writings

Let’s look at an issue that Paul raised – and then ponder how it applies to Bill’s question. When writing his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul wants people to know about what happens “to those who sleep in death,” because he doesn’t want them to “grieve like those who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

How does a person who has no hope of life beyond the grave grieve the loss of a loved one? How does a Christian grieve differently? The difference is what is seen to glorify God. Indeed, we give God glory when our response to life and circumstances keep God in His rightful place – Creator and Sustainer of Life, Author and Perfecter of faith, Builder of our eternal home.

How does a Christian live life in the context of cancer which still keeps God on His throne? Can a person caring for a loved one with cancer do the same? Does a Christian face cancer differently than the one who does not know, understand or apply faith in God to the circumstances of life?

Satan’s Deceptive Tactics

Our biggest danger as we respond to the context of life is a devilish deceit that we accept as truth. We assume that bad circumstances, or even our own sinful responses to circumstances, means that God does not like us. I make bad, sinful choices that have dire consequences and I assume that God no longer likes me, that He is mad at me, and that I have disappointed Him in a grave way.

That assumption is not what the Scripture teaches, although it can be based on doctrines of the Bible taken out of context. Satan has been performing the misuse of Scripture since the Garden of Eden – and humans continue to believe him.

The book of Hebrews tells us that we don’t have a typical high priest representing us before God to offer sacrifices for our sins. “Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way – just as we are – yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV).

Can you see how powerful the teaching in those three verses actually is? When we sin, our natural reaction – the one that Satan is pushing for our response – is to hide, to cover and to blame. Isn’t that exactly what Adam and Eve did when God came walking in the Garden following their sin?

Glorify God in Circumstances

Don’t let sin or circumstances push you into thinking that God is displeased with you. He empathizes with you because He knows what the circumstances and temptations of life are all about. He doesn’t want you to sin, but there is no reason to run and hide. Instead, hold firmly to the faith that you talk about on Sundays. Don’t hide from God, instead approach His throne with confidence.

Not confidence in yourself – your behavior or your lack of sin. Approach with confidence because of your High Priest.

When you treat Jesus with the honor and the respect and the embrace that He deserves during the context and circumstances of your life – you are choosing to glorify God.