Luther

The worship of God . . . should be free at table, in private rooms, downstairs, upstairs, at home, abroad, in all places, by all people, at all times. Whoever tells you anything else is lying as badly as the pope and the devil himself. (What Luther Says, vol. III, ed. by Ewald M. Plass, [St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959], p. 1546)

Calvin

[The Master] did not will in outward discipline and ceremonies to prescribe in detail what we ought to do (because he foresaw that this depended on the state of the times, and he did not deem one form suitable for all ages) . . . Because he has taught nothing specifically, and because these things are not necessary to salvation, and for the upbuilding of the church ought to be variously accommodated to the customs of each nation and age, it will be fitting (as the advantage of the church will require) to change and abrogate traditional practices and to establish new ones. Indeed, I admit that we ought not to charge into innovation rashly, suddenly, for insufficient cause. But love will best judge what may hurt or edify; and if we let love be our guide, all will be safe. (Institutes of theChristian Religion, Vol. 2, John Calvin, edited by John T. McNeill, trans. by Ford Lewis Battles, [Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960], p. 1208)

Edwards

God glorifies Himself toward the creatures also in two ways: 1. By appearing to . . . their understanding. 2. In communicating Himself to their hearts, and in their rejoic­ing and delighting in, and enjoying, the manifestations which He makes of Himself . . . God is glorified not only by His glory’s being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it. His glory is then received by the whole soul, both by the understanding and by the heart. God made the world that He might communicate, and the creature receive, His glo­ry; and that it might [be] received both by the mind and heart. He that testifies his idea of God’s glory [doesn’t] glo­rify God so much as he that testifies also his approbation of it and his delight in it.

 

Click the hyperlink to download it in PDF.

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

P. Bliss

May the Spirit continue to make Jesus shine more brightly in our lives!

May the Spirit continue to make Jesus shine more brightly in our lives!

The answer is yes! Let me first show this scripturally (it’s worth looking these up!):

We are to glorify God:  Psalm 86, Isaiah 60:21, Romans 11:36, 1 Corinthians 6:20; 10:31 and Revelation 4:11

We are to enjoy God: Psalm 16:5-11; 144:15, Isaiah 12:2, Luke 2:10, Philippians 4:4, Revelation 21:3-4

Now listen to the words of Jonathan Edwards (1703-58):

God is glorified not only by his glory’s being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it. God made the world that he might communicate, and the creature receive, his glory . . . both [with] the mind and the heart. He that testifies his having an idea of God’s glory [doesn’t] glorify God so much as he that testifies also his approbation [i.e., his heartfelt commendation or praise] of it and his delight in it

The above quote came from an article entitled ‘What is Christian Hedonism?’ by Sam Storms and is found at http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/what-is-christian-hedonism/ A good read! Dr. Storms adds to the idea of enjoying God by saying:

Your greatest good is in the enjoyment of God. God’s greatest glory is in being enjoyed. So, for God to seek his glory in your worship of him is the most loving thing he can do for you. Only by seeking his glory pre-eminently can God seek your good passionately.

Friends,

If Edwards, Storms and the Westminster Divines are right and our chief end is to ‘glorify God and enjoy Him forever’ (and I think they all are) this will have significant implications in the way we think and worship our Lord. If Psalm 16:11 is right (in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore) then our greatest joy is in His presence. Our fullest joy – our most satisfying pleasure – is in God with us. Our deepest joy is in Immanuel. All other joys do not compare, all other pleasures do not satisfy.  Our most privileged task then is in glorifying him and enjoying him forever and it is our enjoyment of Him brings him glory!

Let me prime the pump for you and your enjoyment of Immanuel: And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people (Luke 2:10).

The good news that brings us great joy is that Immanuel (God with us) came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21)! Because of Immanuel we are forgiven – we are free!

God is with you – Enjoy!

There is no one thing that I know of which God has made such a means of promoting his work amongst us, as the news of others’ conversion… This has been owned in awakening sinners, engaging them earnestly to seek the same blessing, and in quickening saints

(Jonathan Edwards on Revival)

Thank you Bible Chapel for valuing your testimonies and for being ready to share them! May we always take some on Sunday evenings to speak of the glory of God in bringing us to Christ!

May we live our life in a thankful remembrance of the first advent and in hope-filled anticipation for the second advent.

My dear Lord, I can but tell Thee that Thou knowest I long for nothing but Thyself, nothing but holiness, nothing but union with Thy will. Thou hast given me these desires, and thou alone canst give me the thing desired. My soul longs for communion with Thee, for mortification of indwelling corruption, especially spiritual pride. How precious it is to have a tender sense and clear apprehension of the mystery of godliness, of true holiness! What a blessedness to be like Thee as much as it is possible for a creature to be like its creator! Lord, give me more of Thy likeness; enlarge my soul to contain fullness of holiness; engage me to live more for Thee. Help me to be less pleased with my spiritual experiences, and when I feel at ease after sweet communings, teach me it is far too little I know and do. Blessed Lord, let me climb up near to Thee, and love, and long, and plead, and wrestle with Thee, and pant for deliverance from the body of sin, for my heart is wandering and lifeless, and my soul mourns to think it should ever lose sight of its beloved. Wrap my life in divine love, and keep me ever desiring Thee, always humble and resigned to Thy will, more fixed on Thyself, that I may be more fitted for doing and-suffering. Valley of Vision ‘Longings after God’