The Glory Belongs To God

Romans 16:21-27

In the first few verses of Romans 16, Paul sent greetings to many other Christians, encouraging them by acknowledging what they had done, and encouraging the church to do the same. We need recognition just as others do. In his letters, Paul is very specific to acknowledge the people he is writing to. Here, not only Paul, but his associates as well acknowledge the church at Rome. He lists each by name. making it more specific than everybody says, “hi”.
Without proper recognition we begin to feel isolated and depressed, some what like Elijah, when prayed in I Kings 19:10. “And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

One of the main purposes of the church is to exhort or encourage each other. We go to church to encourage others, but we also receive encouragement. If the church has learned to show love properly, we are made aware of the concern of others for our welfare. Galatians 6:2 instructs us, “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Observe the mention of Paul’s associates.

“Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Romans 16:21-24)

At the same time we need to understand that we may not receive the recognition we think we deserve. If we are not careful we become like the hypocritical Pharisees described in Matthew 23:5-11. “But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

The Pharisees were focused on getting men’s admiration and respect, rather than on pleasing God. They were constantly trying to increase their standing by making more important contacts, being seen in the right places, and insisting on special titles so people would acknowledge them. Like Balaam, they believed getting what they wanted was more important than what God said. God said they already had all the reward they would receive, because they were doing it for the recognition, rather than for God. We are unlikely to receive full recognition until we get to heaven. Jesus gave the following illustration.

“But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:7-10)

While we may feel very proud of our accomplishments, it is really only what should be expected. Too often we have become like restaurants, where the waiter is expected to be tipped, even though he has only done what his employer paid him to do. It is common to emphasize some one who gave up wealth or fame to serve God, but the truth is he gave up no more than anyone else. Luke 14:33 declares, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” A hundred dollars is just as big to a man who only has a hundred as a million is to a man who has a million. It is just as big a sacrifice to give it up. Neither has anything left.

In addition, our accomplishments are not the fruit of our own labor, but what God has done in us. Philippians 2:13 states, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Both the desire and the ability come from God, and he determines the outcome. Paul declared, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase,” in I Corinthians 3:6-7. Since it is a result of his work, and not of our efforts, the glory goes to him, not to us.

"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” (Romans 16:25-27)

In order that God would get the glory, rather than Paul he was very careful to be sure he preached only what God had said, rather than what others had according to I Corinthians 2:4-5. “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” An oracle was a prophet or person who received his message from God and delivered it to the people as God spoke it. Paul directs us to do our ministry in the same way, whether it be preaching, giving, or helping those who are sick.

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (I Peter 4:10-11)

If our preaching is just his word, and everything we do is by his power, we cannot burn out, and the glory all will be his. We will be like the cabinet makers router, worn out from long and constant use. It had a part in making beautiful furniture, but the accomplishment is the cabinet makers, not the router’s.

When we act on our own, we are like the same router sitting on a piece of wood, starting up by itself with no one to guide it. It may damage a piece the cabinet maker intended to use, but cannot accomplish anything of real value unless someone controls it. Allow God to have control so he gets the glory.