Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan Edwards

by Kyle Strobel

Unfortunately, for many, when they hear the phrase “for the glory of God,” they subconsciously interpret that to mean “creatures are worthless.” This assumption is built on the idea that for God to be glorified humanity must be diminished. This is coupled with an idea, found in many praise and worship songs, that “he must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn 3:30). This is a quote from John the Baptist, a quote that concerns John the Baptist’s specific ministry in relation to Christ’s ministry and has no relation to us. We, as persons, do not decrease for Christ to increase. That is no gospel. Our sin and flesh are not what we are. We increase as Christ increases, because when God is glorified we are fully alive.[12] Because God’s life of happiness consists in his knowledge and love, God is glorified as his creation comes to participate in that same happiness. God’s self-focus enlarges, so to speak, to pull us into it. As God infinitely loves and delights in himself, so God infinitely loves and delights in his adopted children. From salvation to eternity we are on a path of deepening love, delight and happiness in God.