Glorifying God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ in Christian Practice

There is a common question among Christian practitioners: should we glorify God the Father in heaven when we perform good works, or should we focus on glorifying His son, Jesus Christ? This article aims to explore this topic, using scriptural support to provide clarity and guidance for those wishing to understand Christian doctrine better.

Understanding the Relationship Between God the Father and Jesus Christ

It is important to note that in Christian belief, God the Father and Jesus Christ are not separate entities but different manifestations of the same divine person. This is a complex theological concept known as the Trinity. The Bible describes God the Father as the creator and ultimate sovereign, while Jesus Christ, who is both fully divine and fully human, is described as the second person of the Trinity. Jesus came to earth in human form, though not as an ordinary sinner. He walked among us, subject to the temptations of life, and ultimately died on the cross to save us from our sins.

Praying to Jesus

Christians often pray to Jesus because, through his incarnation, he came to understand human suffering and temptation in a way that humanity can relate to. Jesus was both sinless and perfect, yet he endured human weaknesses, which makes him a relatable figure and a powerful intermediary between God and humanity. This is one of the reasons why Christians often seek guidance and forgiveness through prayer directly to Jesus.

The Nature of Good Works

The Bible teaches that good works are a natural outgrowth of faith. John 3:16 states, 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.' This means that faith in Jesus Christ results in a transformed life, which includes good deeds. However, the purpose of these good works is not to earn salvation, but to manifest the love and righteousness of God within us, as Ephesians 2:10 tells us, 'For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Scriptural Support for the Glory of God the Father and His Son

Philippians 2:9-11 provides scriptural support for the doctrine that Jesus has been highly exalted and given names above every name. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This is done for the glory of God the Father. Thus, while we should indeed seek to glorify God the Father, the actions of Jesus Christ—his obedience, his sacrifice, and his triumph over sin—are central to our understanding of what it means to honor God's glory.

Conclusion

Understanding the relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ is a foundational aspect of Christian theology. While we do indeed glorify God the Father, it is through the actions and person of Jesus Christ that this is most vividly and effectively accomplished. The practice of good works is a reflection of the life Jesus lived and the love he commanded us to share. Ultimately, it is about walking in the footsteps of Christ, who lived a life of selflessness, servanthood, and infinite love, which is the beacon and example for all Christians.

Keywords: Glory of God, Jesus Christ, Christian Doctrine