I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. (John 17:22-23)
Read: 2 Samuel 13:1-39, John 17:1-26, Psalm 119:81-96, Proverbs 16:6-7
Relate:
“The glory of God is man fully alive.” I don’t know if John Eldredge is to blame or if he is simply the person among many using it, who brought this quote to my attention. It first appeared on my radar in his book Waking the Dead but since that time it seems to be appearing everywhere in ever increasing frequency. Unfortunately, although it is usually being credited where it should, Irenaeus, it is most not certainly being used as it should. This quote has been warped and bent into a defense for a heretical humanistic philosophy that runs completely counter to what that father of the faith was actually saying.
Irenaeus wrote:
Gloria enim Dai vivens homo, vita autem hominis visio Dei. Si enim quae est per conditionem ostensio Dei vitam praestat omnibus in terra viventibus, multo magis ea quae est per Verbum manifestatio Patris vitam praestat his qui vident Deum.
The first half of that first sentence, “Gloria enim Dai vivens homo,” Is where we get “The glory of God is man fully alive.” But would more accurately be read, “The glory of God is a living human being.” The second half of that sentence would read “human life is the vision of God.” The full quote in context:
The glory of God is a living human being and human life is the vision of God. For if the revelation of God which is made by means of the creation, allows life to all living in the earth, how much more does the revelation of the Father come through the Word, who gives life to those who see God.
When we backtrack it is clear that the “Word” Irenaeus is talking about is not scripture but rather Jesus. He says,
The Word became the giver of the Father’s grace for the benefit of humankind, for whom he generously provided. In this He truly reveals God to humanity and presents humanity back to God.
React: You might be thinking, “Great. But what does this have to do with anything?” I am glad you asked. What Irenaeus is talking about in his famous, often misused quote is the very thing Jesus is talking about in His final prayer to the disciples. We are given the glory of God. Contrary to what some prosperity teachers or atheist philosophers might say, that glory is not found in some personal achievement or the reaching our greatest potential. The glory of God is a living human being. His name is Jesus. He has been offered to us as the greatest of gifts.
When we find ourselves not striving to achieve our greatest potential but rather by becoming completely subsumed in, surrendered to, Him. When Jesus is all people see in us, His glory becomes manifest through us. That, and only that, is the glory we have been given.
Respond:
Dear God,
Help me never to get the cart before the horse. I want to be everything that I can be. I want to achieve the fullest potential for which I have been created, but that potential, that everything, that… glory, is You. It is only in You and through You that I can be or accomplish anything of lasting worth. It is only when I become lost in You that my life can have an eternal impact. I surrender my dreams, my ambitions, my talents, my gifts all to You. It is only in You that they have any value. Let Your glory be seen through my fully lived life.
Amen
THE RIVER WALK 
This was a wonderful post. A beautiful view of who Jesus is and who we are in Him. That He is our all. He is all. Thanks so much this.
Great blog it is not easy to submit fully to the Lord but it is the only way to truly let his glory shine through us.
Reblogged this on Life on the Coosa River.
Good post! Thanks
Great post, Beejai. It is when we surrender we are able to allow God’s love to be first and the Spirit to unify us to other believers.
Love this word
“When Jesus is all people see in us”……I fall so short on my walk of faith. Thank you for this writing and the time you put toward your research which enriches and reinforces each post.
I think we all fall short, but the goal is to strive to be more like Jesus. We are all works in progress, but that progress can be seen by others.
BJ, I do not know if you read “The Lord Is With Us” recently, but the Lord has given us complementary truths to write about His glory. May the eyes of our hearts be enlightened in order that we might know and apprehend HIs word on this glorious matter (pun intended)…
https://thelordiswithus.com/2016/05/25/our-exalted-position-part-3-the-surpassing-glory/
Thank you so much for a very deep, inspirational blog.
Quite right! 🙂
Great post! Thanks for this awesome scripture.
Amen and amen! Hmmm! Christ is my glory and only when I am fully submitted to His lordship over my life can His glory be seen in me. Thank you so very much for sharing.
How appropriate is this article for me. I was just writing in my prayer journal about dreams, goals, etc. I appreciate the timing of the Holy Spirit to keep me on the right track. I also appreciate the truth regarding this Scripture. Thank you so much for sharing the information and the prayer.
Amen and Amen! Thank you for your truthful and brilliant post! Jesus is all glory and deserves all honor and praise – the best of the gifts He put in us given back to Him.
Reblogged this on ChristianBlessings and commented:
When there is success let us remember to give God the glory which belongs only to Him.
Isaiah 42: 8“I am the LORD, that is My name;
I will not give My glory to another,
Nor My praise to graven images.
Really interesting post, which made me look up and learn a bit about St Irenaeus of Lyons – thanks 🙂 Just a very small point, it’s ‘Gloria enim Dei vivens homo…'(I thiiiink ‘Dei’ is the genetive [meaning ‘of’] singular form of ‘Deus’ [Latin for God]).
Reblogged this on ccohsydney and commented:
Getting it right
I read this book years ago by T. Austin Sparks and he defined glory like this. “The glory of God is this; His full intention going out to mankind and returning to Him fully realized”. I like that – great blog by the way!
Beautiful post , and a great blog ….
Loved it
Very, very thought provoking, Evelyn. I was certainly blessed, as always, by your gift of words and Godly wisdom. Have a blessed day, and may God richly bless you, my friend.
Great post. Not only are great quotes sometimes misused or partially quoted but so is scripture. This is a great reminder that we should test everything against the Word of God then allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us about what to believe. Thank you for this post.
Reblogged this on AJSMinistryblog and commented:
2 Tonight 2:15-16 Study to shew thyselfapproved unto God, a workmanthat needeth not to beashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vainbabblings: for they will increaseunto more ungodliness.