The Latin phrase “soli Deo gloria” means “glory to God alone.” This phrase emphasizes that everything we do should be for the glory of God alone. The Bible has a lot to say about why giving glory to God alone is vitally important for Christians.
God Alone Deserves All Glory
The Bible makes it clear that God alone deserves all glory, honor and praise. After all, He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (Revelation 4:11). Everything good and perfect comes from Him (James 1:17). God says in Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” God alone is inherently glorious and praiseworthy. As finite, dependent creatures, we have nothing in ourselves worthy of glory. Any glory we have is a derived glory, coming solely from God.
Throughout Scripture, whenever people tried to take glory for themselves rather than give it to God, they were opposed. When Herod allowed the people to praise him as a god, he was immediately struck down (Acts 12:21-23). Pride and self-exaltation are sins, because they attempt to steal glory from God. As John the Baptist said of Christ, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). We must have the humility to ascribe all glory to God alone.
We Are Created to Glorify God
The Bible teaches that as human beings, we were created by God and for God. Our chief purpose and highest joy is found in glorifying Him. The Westminster Shorter Catechism summarizes it well: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” As Psalm 86:9 says, “All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.”
Throughout the Old Testament, when God’s people drift away from Him, He calls them back to live for His glory. For example, in Isaiah 43:7 God says, “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” We were made by God and for God. Our lives are not our own, but should be lived for His glory.
We Are Saved by Grace to Do Good Works for His Glory
In the New Testament, Jesus teaches that as His disciples, we are to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). The good works we do are not to bring glory to ourselves, but to our Father. Paul echoes this, saying “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
The Bible is clear that we are not saved by our works, but by God’s grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, we are saved for the purpose of doing good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). The ultimate purpose of these good works is not to glorify ourselves, but to bring glory to God. Everything we do should reflect our gratitude for God’s grace.
Giving Glory to God Alone Humble Us
Giving all glory to God alone is a profoundly humbling thing. It reminds us that every good thing we have and accomplish ultimately comes from God (James 1:17). We have no basis for pride or arrogance. John Piper sums this up well: “Soli Deo gloria” means: Apart from Christ we can do nothing of true worth, and all praise goes to God alone.” When we rightly acknowledge God as the source of all goodness, it frees us from sinful pride.
At the same time, ascribing glory to God is also incredibly encouraging. When we fail and fall short, our hope is in Christ alone, not ourselves. Our worth and identity is secure in Him. We can rest in God’s sovereignty, knowing He will accomplish His good purposes in and through us. Giving Him glory alone frees us from both pride and despair.
It Keeps Us Dependent on God
Giving all glory to God reminds us of our complete dependence on Him. On our own, we can do nothing of eternal value (John 15:5). We need God’s strength and grace every day. Jesus taught that apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Our talents and abilities ultimately come from Him. When we yield the glory to God, we acknowledge our reliance on Him for everything.
Often our tendency is to take credit for what God has done in and through us. We begin to think more highly of ourselves than we ought (Romans 12:3). But soli Deo gloria prevents this. It keeps us humble and dependent on the Lord. Even the apostle Paul said: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6). All glory goes to the Giver.
It Makes Us Reverent and Thankful
Giving glory to God fosters reverence and thankfulness in our hearts. We stand in awe of God’s power and grace. We become filled with praise for the Lord’s mighty works. Moses and the Israelites sang: “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously… Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:1,11). Ascribing glory to God prompts grateful worship.
When we begin to take God’s glory for ourselves, we start to lose our sense of reverence and thankfulness. Giving God glory keeps Him in His rightful place as the One worthy of all honor and praise. It reminds us of how blessed we are to receive His overflowing grace.
It Unifies the Church
The theme of soli Deo gloria provides believers with a God-centered unity. When the church corporately ascribes glory to Christ alone, it brings a spirit of humility and harmony. We fix our eyes on exalting the Lord Jesus above all else. Petty differences and selfish pride fade as we together magnify the greatness of God.
In eternity, the church joins together as one to glorify and worship God alone (Revelation 7:9-12). As the redeemed of Christ, we will proclaim: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:10). Our unified anthem will be soli Deo gloria.
It Prepares Us for Heaven
Giving glory to God alone also shapes our perspective for eternity. As David proclaims in Psalm 73:24-25, “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.” God alone will be our delight and glory forever.
In heaven, the focus will not be on us but on the worthy Lamb (Revelation 5:12-13). We will finally behold the glory that Christ had from before the foundation of the world (John 17:5). Soli Deo gloria lifts our sights to God’s eternal glory.
It Removes Boasting and Pride
The theme of soli Deo gloria leaves no room for human boasting. Paul wrote: “God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:28-29). God’s purpose is that all arrogance and pride would be shut out.
As believers, our righteous acts are like filthy rags before God’s surpassing glory (Isaiah 64:6). We have nothing to boast about in ourselves. But we can freely boast in the Lord and what He has accomplished for our salvation (1 Corinthians 1:31). Soli Deo gloria keeps our focus on His grace.
It Guards Against Idolatry
Giving glory to God alone also protects us from idolatry. The first two commandments teach that we must have no other gods before the Lord (Exodus 20:3-6). If we start to give glory to anything or anyone other than the one true God, we are in essence worshipping a false idol.
Throughout the Bible, attributing glory to anything apart from God is considered idolatry. Whether it is an idol made of wood or stone, or “idols” of money, fame, power, relationships, etc., it is dishonoring to God. Soli Deo gloria preserves right worship.
It Allows God to Demonstrate His Power
When we rely completely on God’s power working in and through us, He is able to demonstrate His glory and strength. As God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). In our weakness, God’s power shines bright.
The story of Gideon emphasizes this truth. God purposely reduced Gideon’s army to just 300 men, so it would be clear the victory belonged to the Lord alone (Judges 7:2). God receives more glory when we clearly need Him. Living for His glory allows God’s power to be seen.
It Fulfills Our Purpose
As discussed earlier, glorifying God is the very purpose for which we were created. Through Christ, God predestined us “for the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:12). As His redeemed people, bringing praise and glory to God is the ultimate aim. Augustine said, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” We have no higher calling than to ascribe all glory to God.
When we make much of ourselves or others, we miss the very purpose for which we exist. Soli Deo gloria orients our lives around God’s glory. It reminds us why we are here – to exalt the name of Christ in all that we do. This brings joy and meaning to our lives.
It Humbles Us Before God
Giving glory to God alone also fosters humility before Him. We are creatures, not the Creator. God declares, “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another” (Isaiah 42:8). We must humble ourselves and not think more highly of ourselves than we ought (Romans 12:3).
Pride seeks to steal glory from God. But when we live for God’s glory, we align our perspective with reality. We understand our rightful place before Him, with humility and reverence. This posture allows God’s grace to exalt us in due time (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6).
It Brings Joy to Our Hearts
Living for the glory of God brings a special joy to our hearts. We were made to glorify Him. When we fulfill this purpose, it results in the delight of pleasing God. Jesus called this “the joy of the Lord” (Matthew 25:21). As David exclaims in Psalm 16:11, “In your presence there is fullness of joy.” True satisfaction is found in God’s presence and praise.
When our focus is on self-glory, we lose that joy. Pride and selfish ambition lead only to emptiness. But ascribing all glory to God fills our hearts with inexpressible joy. We overflow with praise as we exalt His glorious name.
It Points Others to God
Furthermore, living for God’s glory points others to Him. As mentioned earlier, Jesus taught that our good works should cause others to give glory to God (Matthew 5:16). When people see Christ magnified in our lives, they are drawn to know and worship Him too. Our lives become living testimonies to the surpassing worth of Christ.
In contrast, seeking our own glory distracts and detracts from God’s glory. May we reflect the words of John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). As we yield the glory to God, we act as pointers and signposts to His grace and greatness.
It Brings Revival to the Church
When a church collectively seeks to ascribe glory to Christ above all else, revival happens. God pours out His Spirit. Lives are transformed by the power of the Gospel. Soli Deo gloria refocuses the church on what matters most – proclaiming and displaying God’s glory.
Revival movements in history were marked by this God-centeredness. During times of reformation and awakening, the church regained a vision of God’s glory that reshaped everything. The flame of revival ignites when God’s people pursue nothing but His glory.
It Advances Christ’s Kingdom
Living for God’s glory also advances the Kingdom of Christ on earth. Jesus taught us to pray, “hallowed be your name” and “your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:9-10). When God’s people exalt His name, it spreads the reign of Christ.
In contrast, self-glorification restricts what God wants to do. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). As we yield to God’s glory, we align with His kingdom purposes. His glory advances through jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7).
It Prepares Us for Suffering
Furthermore, living for God’s glory prepares us to suffer for Him. After being flogged by the Jewish leaders, the apostles left “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name [of Jesus]” (Acts 5:41). Their perspective was driven by Christ’s glory.
Seeking our own glory makes suffering difficult to endure. But remembering it’s about God’s glory gives meaning to our trials. We can count it joy when we suffer for His name, because it makes much of Him (James 1:2-3). His glory then shines brighter through our lives.
It Produces Perseverance and Endurance
Keeping our eyes fixed on bringing glory to God also strengthens our perseverance and endurance. As Hebrews 12:2 reminds us, Jesus endured the cross “for the joy that was set before Him.” Knowing His sufferings glorified the Father enabled Him to endure.
In the same way, living for God’s glory gives us strength to press on. The apostle Paul said, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Any earthly suffering is worth it for the glory of God. This hope fuels endurance.
It Brings God Pleasure
Most importantly, ascribing all glory to God brings pleasure to Him. We were made for this purpose. Revelation 4:11 declares, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Bringing glory to God fulfills why we exist.
God takes great delight in His people praising and glorifying Him. Psalm 149:4 says the Lord “takes pleasure in his people.” When we live for God’s glory, it brings joy to His heart. This is our great privilege as God’s redeemed children.
Conclusion
In summary, soli Deo gloria – glory to God alone – is tremendously important for several key reasons. It aligns our lives with God’s Word and purposes. It humbles us, fills us with joy, and guards against idolatry. It points others to Christ and advances His Kingdom. Most importantly, it brings great pleasure and glory to God. May we wholeheartedly embrace soli Deo gloria.