THE BIBLE AND THE USURPATION OF GOD’S GLORY

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND THE USURPATION OF GOD’S GLORY

Presented by: Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Devotional Text: Isaiah 42:8

INTRODUCTION:

Everyone who is called by the NAME of the LORD is created for His GLORY. {Isaiah 43:7}, and should understand that the LORD ALMIGHTY will not yield HIS GLORY to another {48:11}, and so, it becomes effort in futility to attempt to usurp HIS GLORY in whatever guise, though many try to do so, to their hurt. By way of explanation, to usurp the GLORY of GOD, is to accept or demand the honour and praise due to HIM alone, and, there is no gainsaying the fact that many people in leadership positions, political or ecclesiastical, as well as the ordinary members of the society are guilty of this great sin against the LORD, despite HIS verdict, “I am the LORD, that is MY NAME! I will not give MY GLORY to another or MY PRISE to Idols,” {Isaiah 42:8}

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)       Only the LORD our GOD is worthy of all praise and honour, {Rev. 4:11}

(2)       The LORD our GOD will not yield HIS GLORY to another, {Isaiah 48:11}

(3)       Honour and respect due to man, should be given to those who deserve them {Rom. 13:7}, but the GLORY

 and HONOUR due to GOD alone should not be given to anybody, no matter how highly placed, {Isaiah 48:11}

(4)       The LORD our GOD will not give HIS GLORY to another or HIS PRAISE to idols, {42:8}.

POLITICAL LEADERS AND THE USURPATION OF GOD’S GLORY

Political leaders often act as GOD while in office. They assume the monopoly of knowledge and power, with no recourse to the supremacy of the LORD GOD of heaven and earth, who is the fountain of all existence and laws. This is why certain political leaders and their lawmakers legislate against the WILL of GOD in their countries. The legality of abortion in some nations of the world is a good example of the aforementioned. When a political leader puts in place laws against the WILL of GOD, like in the case of Chinese president, XI Jinping} who in recent time ordered the removal of the portrait of JESUS CHRIST our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR in churches, for his own} he defames HIM, and assumes the place of HIS GLORY and PRAISE, which the LORD our GOD says, HE would not allow {Isaiah 43:7}, and this, often results in political and economic problems that, at times, may lead to the death or depose of the unscrupulous leader. But, to the believer, when a political leader assumes the place of GOD’S GLORY and PRAISE in a country, by way of ungodly legislations and style of governance, then, it becomes the time to:

(i)                    UNDERSTAND that, “we ought to obey GOD rather than men...” {Acts 5:29]

(ii)                  REMEMBER that, “we have to do all things to the GLORY of GOD, {1 Cor. 10:31}

(iii)                 RECALL that, GOD says no, to anything that is not to HIS GLORY and PRAISE in every nation of the world, {Isaiah 42:8}

ECCLESIASTICAL LEADERS AND THE USURPATION OF GOD’S GLORY

        JESUS CHRIST our LORD and SUPREME LEADER of the church sets example as an ecclesiastical leader who does not seek to usurp the GLORY and PRAISE of GOD, when HE says,... “If I honour MYSELF, MY HONOUR is nothing...” {John 8:54A}, and definitely shows that church leaders must not work for self glory when in the service of the LORD our GREAT and ALMIGHTY GOD. For, it is the LORD who honours the church leader who does not seek his own glory, as it is written, “the LORD honours those who honour HIM,”{1 Sam. 2:30}. Now, consider the church leader who lord it over the flock of the LIVING GOD, whereas, JESUS CHRIST, the HEAD of the church says that, service should be their watchword, {Mark 10:42-44}. Consider, also, those who exhibit dictatorial tendencies, and absolute usurpation of the GLORY and PRAISE of the LORD, who, by their attitude, JESUS CHRIST, the LORD of the church is relegated to a second fiddle. It is common knowledge today that certain church leaders take ministerial, cum administrative decisions in the church without recourse to the HOLY SPIRIT and the Scripture. For instance, at present, tithe payment is raised to thirty percent, and more, in some churches, whereas, the Bible says, it should be ten percent [Gen. 28:22; Deut. 26:12}. Also, other core doctrines of the WORD of GOD are changed to suit the will and praise of the church leader, who is supposed to work for the GLORY of GOD. By this, therefore, the believer is reminded that:

(i)              GOD does not give any church leader his GLORY and PRAISE, {Isaiah 42:8}

(ii)            The usurpation of GOD’S GLORY and PRAISE is in place  when church leaders lead the church by human whims and caprices, {vs. 8}

(iii)           JESUS CHRIST our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR in HIS WORD shows that a church leader should work to the GLORY

 of our HEAVENLY FATHER and not to the glory of himself. {John 8:54}.

THE ORDINARY CITIZEN AND THE USURPATION OF GOD’S GLORY

Political and Ecclesiastical leaders are not alone in the usurpation of the GLORY of GOD , as the ordinary members of the society, Christians and non-Christians, also, carry the weakness of usurping GOD’S GLORY and PRAISE. Often times, certain citizens fan the embers of self praise and glory when they talk of certain accomplishments which were only possible by the GRACE of GOD, as if they were done by human strength. Think of those who boast of business successes, whereas, it is clear in the Holy Scripture that, it is the LORD who gives us the power to make wealth, {Deut. 8:6-18}. Consider, as well, the fact of people in church and society, who take the GLORY of GOD in every little help they render to others, instead of doing all, to HIS GLORY {! Cor. 10:31}. To this end, this lesson biblically posits that:

(i)                    GOD is not willing to share HIS GLORY with anybody, {Isaiah 42:8}

(ii)                  We should learn to give HIM all the GLORY for every opportunity HE gives us to help

 others, instead of usurping HIS GLORY {vs. 8}

(iii)                 Our hearts should not be allowed to be lifted up in self glory and praise, when we attain some level of successes in business, but should give all the GLORY to the LORD who gives us power to get wealth, {Deut. 8:17-18}.

In conclusion, please understand that GOD is the AUTHOR of all things, and so, HE is worthy of all GLORY and PRAISE from every creature of HIS. And, for your information, this is why HE created us, {Rev. 4:11}. PLEASE, DO ALL THINGS TO THE PRAISE AND GLORY OF GOD!