How Should the Church Be? Part 3

I have already said that the church should be Biblically saturated and Christ centered. The church should also be God glorifying. Again, this is not one that many people would disagree with in word, but sometimes in practice. This can be done in a variety of ways, but it must begin with Scripture. When Paul writes to the church in Corinth he writes, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31) We live in a time when everyone wants to individualize everything, including their Christian lives. I have often heard this verse attached to each individual person. That principle is absolutely true. However, this is written to the church at Corinth. The church is to be God-glorifying in all that it does. One way this takes place is outlined in Matthew 5:14-16:

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

I take this to mean that one way God gets glory is by the church doing good works. This is not the only way, in fact the primary way for a church to be God-glorifying is to be obedient to the Scriptures. If a church is going to be a New Testament church, her primary desire is to be Biblically obedient with the purpose of being God-glorifying.