At any discussion of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone, and of the fact that our works are in no way the basis of our salvation, someone almost always asks, “If good works do not play a part in saving us, then of what value are they?”

Matthew 5:16 is very clear:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Just because good works do not save us does not mean that good works are unimportant. The purpose of good works is to bring glory to God.

Well then, what is the purpose of bringing glory to God? Is God interested in glory because He is self-centered and egotistical? Does he ask us to be other-centered when He Himself is not? We know the answer to that question right away, because of what Jesus did at the cross. When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” He answered forever Satan’s accusations that God was selfish and knew nothing of self-sacrifice. The cross proved that God was willing to go the limit in giving.

So what is the purpose of bringing glory to God? One major reason is that He deserves it! He is worthy of our praise. All of the glory and honor and praise that mankind can offer to Him could never be too much. David said,

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits.” Psalm 68:19.

Have you been noticing your load of benefits lately? Sometimes it’s easier to focus on the load of sin or the load of guilt or the load of care that we find ourselves carrying. These are loads that God never intended for us to bear. He has promised to take these loads from our shoulders and give us rest. But the one load He has for us is the load of benefits! There are a lot of them! Who could even count them all?

A second major reason for bringing glory to God is for Christian outreach and witness. As others see Jesus uplifted in our lives, and through us learn of the love and mercy of God, they are motivated to come to Him for themselves. The good works demonstrated in the life of the believer are a powerful argument in favor of Christianity, are they not?

A third major reason for bringing glory to God is that if our good works don’t glorify God, whom do they glorify? Do you know the answer? There’s only one other option, isn’t there? If God doesn’t get the glory, we take the glory for ourselves. And the work of justification is to lay the glory of mankind in the dust. We cannot glorify God and ourselves at the same time. Either He is glorified, or we take the honor and glory and credit for ourselves.

Which brings us to a question. Would it even be possible for someone to be saved who was not interested in bringing glory to God? Bringing glory to God should be a powerful motivation for good works. And it will be, if we serve Him because we love Him.

We find it true in our human relationships. The upholding of the family name can be a real motivation, can’t it? We are willing to sacrifice many things in order to honor those we love and not disappoint them. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, and when we love God as it is our privilege to love Him, we will find our highest delight in honoring and glorifying Him. To obey and serve Him for His sake can be the greatest motivation of all.

“Everything is secondary to the glory of God. Our heavenly Father is to be ever cherished as the first, the joy and prosperity, the light and sufficiency of our life, and our portion forever.“–Sons and Daughters of God, p. 56.