Verse By Verse Devotional by Pastor Jack on 2 Corinthians #110

Our Sakes and God’s Glory (4:15)

4:13-15 "But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ’I believed, therefore I spoke,’ we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. 15 FOR ALL THINGS ARE FOR YOUR SAKES, SO THAT THE GRACE WHICH IS SPREADING TO MORE AND MORE PEOPLE MAY CAUSE THE GIVING OF THANKS TO ABOUND TO THE GLORY OF GOD."

On the one hand Paul says that all things are for the sakes of the Corinthians (or, to generalize, for the sakes of believers). Later in the same verse he goes on to say that all things are working toward the glory of God. Is this contradictory? Is God’s final purpose to bless us or to bless Himself? Is He out to bring His sons to glory or bring Himself to glory?

Without delving into high mysteries in the mind of God, we can say this: the Scriptures are clear that God is out to accomplish both. Our glory is found in His glorification and His glory is found in our glorification.

Our destiny is inextricably bound up in the destiny of Jesus Christ. When He rises, we rise with Him. When He is revealed from heaven, we will be revealed with Him. When He is glorified, we will be glorified with Him.

"When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." (Col.3:4)

Once a person is linked up to Christ through faith, he partakes of all that Christ has achieved and will achieve. And so in the end, all things are for us and all things are for Him. He delights in giving us all things and it glorifies Him that He glorifies us. He glorifies us and we glorify Him. He has made us His delight and we are to make Him our delight (of course, He is worthy of our delight whereas we are completely unworthy of His delight -- it only comes through Christ).

Father, it is astounding that You have chosen to love me and delight in me and glorify me! Truly Your lovingkindness is better than life itself. I would rather lose my life than lose Your lovingkindness. Thank You that I have become linked up with Your blessed Son. May my attachment to Him grow ever stronger and firmer. ’Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it. Seal it for Thy courts above.’

(from the hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, by Robert Robinson, 1758)