God's View of God

There are many views and interpretations surrounding God—who He is, what He is about, etc. As a result, there are many who speak for God without any consideration of what God says about Himself. For example, there are those who contend that God’s ultimate concern is the good of human beings. Others insist that He is consumed with including everyone into His fold while others argue that He is selective. These questions, however, miss a dynamic question that cannot be overlooked--what does God say about Himself? What is He all about? I believe with all of my heart that one of the most central passages of Scripture in relation to the question of what God is all about is found in Isaiah 48:11…

I will act for My own sake, indeed, My own, for how can I be defiled? I will not give my glory to another.

The answers to the questions “What is God all about?” and “What does He have to say about Himself?” can be stated in this way…God is the supreme end of all of creation and His utmost concern is the spread of His own glory. What is this glory? It can simply be defined as the weight of His fame and renown. So, at the end of the day, all of God’s actions and activity point toward one end—His own glory or fame. In other words, God is all about God. His glory is His top priority. Even His provision and care for His children is done so to point toward the fact of who He is.

Wait a minute, you may say. I’m not sure I am comfortable with viewing God in that way. After all, He is a God of love and this view of God paints the picture of an egotistical God totally consumed with Himself rather than the needs of His creation. To that concern, I say hold on. Consider these thoughts by Passion Worship Ministries Founder and teacher, Louie Giglio…

So if God is God, and He knows who He is, God must perpetually exalt Himself in all things. For if God failed to exalt Himself in every possible way, He would exalt something or someone else as central, someone or something that was not central at all. This would make God both unwise and unloving—unwise, because it would demonstrate that He didn’t know what was best; unloving, because He would be allowing our attention and affection to be aimed toward something that was less than the very best. But since God encompasses all wisdom and is the source of pure love, He has no choice but to exalt Himself above all things.

Excerpt taken from I am not but I know I AM
By: Louie Giglio

It would only be pretentious of God to glory in Himself if He was not who He says He is. But, because of who He is, exalting in Himself is the most loving thing He can do for His creation in providing for their needs, because He is our ultimate need. In addition, He is giving us the perfect model in which to follow. If He is glorying in Himself, then we must follow His lead and glory in Him as well. After all, that is the purpose for which we have been created. Isaiah also says that we, His people, are “created for His glory” (Isaiah 43:7). So, if God’s glory is the weight of His fame and renown, then the purpose of humanity is to live our lives in such a way that points toward Him. Our own purpose of existence on this planet through God creating us is to reflect His glory on the earth. Simply put, we are to live to make God famous. Our challenge is to align our view of God with His view of Himself. Only when we do that does everything else come into proper alignment and view.