Three Angels Messages Part 15

            Welcome once more we continue in our study of God’s last appeal to our world, the Three Angels’ Messages! Last time we looked at the phrase “Fear God,” and the correct understanding that those words convey, which is to love, worship, appreciate and obey our wonderful God.  
Let’s move on to the next part of the first angel’s message. Coupled with the invitation to “fear God” is the command to “give glory to Him.” How do we do that? Let’s look through the Bible and see how that phase is used. It most certainly has to do with how we express our praise to Him. There were “angels in the sky” when Christ came the first time, offering their praise. “Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!’” Luke 2:13. Revelation’s picture of an angel in the sky inviting the giving of glory to God can easily be seen in connection with what took place at His first coming.
            As Christians we are encouraged to express our thanksgiving to the Lord. “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15. “If anyone suffers as a Christian, let not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” I Peter 4:16. Abraham “did not waver at the promise of God though unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.” Romans 4:20.
            An easy way that we, as Christians, can “give Him glory” is to remove two words in our vocabulary, “lucky” and “fortunate.” What’s wrong with those words? Well, if you think about them carefully, one who uses those words is ascribing credit to happenstance, to the gods of fate. They are expressing the idea that the events of life “just happen.” Is that what Bible Christians should believe? No! We believe that there is a God in heaven Who lovingly guides and protects His children. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD.” Psalm 37:23. “ A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directed his steps.” Proverbs 16:9, KJV. “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Jeremiah 10:23, KJV.
            By using the words “lucky” or “fortunate,” we might as well be burning incense to the god of fate, or bowing before the image of fortune. What can Christians say instead? We can say that we are “blessed” and that an event was “providential.” Hearers will recognize, when you use those words, that you are ascribing credit to a Divine Being for the things that take place in your life. You are obeying the command to “give Him glory.” Truly, when we will be able to see our lives from Heaven’s perspective, we will see that He was there all the time, leading us every moment.
            But “giving glory to God” goes much deeper than merely what we say. Another way we are told that we can “glorify God” is in the manner which we take care of our bodies. Our physical bodies are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” the work of a Master Designer. We are learning more and more about the complexity and amazing capabilities of our bodies. They are lent to us as a gift from the Creator, and we are entrusted with a fiduciary responsibility to care for them properly.
            Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” I Corinthians 6:19, 20. In the same letter he counseled, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31.
            The messages of the three angels bring into view the understanding of correct principles of temperance and self-control. Temperance may be defined as the abstinence of things harmful and the judicious use of those things beneficial. This is important because the Lord’s Spirit communicates to us primarily through our brains. It is through the impressions and convictions sent to us in our minds that God speaks to us. If our minds are weakened and befuddled by intemperate habits, this inhibits their ability to grasp and appreciate the lofty concepts He would like to share with us.
            Why is this especially important in these last days? It is because the test that is coming, as revealed in the messages of the three angels, will require the strongest faith ever. To survive the ordeal coming will require that ones physical and mental condition be optimum. Our connection with God will have to be unrestricted and unhindered to live through the times ahead. Satan’s desire, of course, is to lead us into the path of indulgence whereby we disqualify ourselves from the race, to borrow the language of  the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 9:27. It is the devil’s purpose to push us in the direction opposite of temperance and self-control, so that his influence over our weakened minds will be heightened.
            A while back we were having trouble with our computer cable service. When I called the technician, one of the first things he asked me to do was to check the connection between the cable and the modem. He wanted to make sure that the coaxial cable was properly secured and that the “pin” was clean and straight, so that the signal was not hindered by corrosion or debris.
            In a similar way, we must be sure that the “connection” between our minds and Heaven is pure and undefiled. God wants to communicate with us through our brains. If we abuse our health through poor habits, we limit or retard the process. By upholding Bible temperance principles, we can insure that the Lord’s voice can be heard. Particularly in these last days, when it is of utmost importance that we have a clear understanding of God’s will, when Satan will be exercising his powers of deception in ways we haven’t seen before, we need sharp intellects and clear minds.
            The prophet Daniel is an excellent example of how the correct application of temperance guidelines prepared him for the trials he would encounter and the service he would render. When invited to partake of the king’s rich repast, he opted instead for a simple plate of natural foods; “vegetables.” And after being tested, he was found to be many times the superior of his companions.
            Today we need our brains to be operating at optimal efficiency, as well as having our bodies in the best condition possible to withstand the trials of the last days. The messages of the three angels include a call to healthful living. Thus, we “give Him glory” by what comes out of our mouths (godly speech) as well as what goes into our mouths (nutritious and healthful food). May God teach us today how to “give Him glory” in all that we do!