Perhaps this question doesn’t even make sense to you. You couldn’t get anything greater and more desirable than heaven. It is everlasting blessing. But we don’t mean something better than heaven but something in addition to heaven. In fact something before we get there. There is a common assumption amongst believers that if we are saved then we can relax and nothing more is required. It’s sometimes expressed like this. “Why do you need to bother about anything (in spiritual things) unless it contributes to your salvation?” We must never think that we can do additional things that will earn our salvation. But is there something more that God expects from us in our love to Him? Is there something of great significance we can strive for in this world?

The short answer is, “yes”, and of course there is a lot to explain in relation to that. Perhaps a story will explain best to start with. The field preacher Donald Cargill was told of how he had been criticised by another minister. The other minister was a gospel preacher but not so concerned about avoiding any way in which Christ’s sole headship over the Church might be compromised. The criticism was along these lines. “What’s the need of all this concern about these things? We will get heaven and they will get no more”.  It’s something that people may often express. “Do you think that concern about what Scripture says on this or that subject is going to get you to heaven?” When Cargill heard of this remark, he replied, “Yes, we will get more; we will get God glorified on earth, which is more than heaven.”

The true Christian does not seek just to “be saved” but to glorify God to their utmost. They desire that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. If we think that any of God’s truth or requirements are dispensable we are displaying our true attitude to God. As the Lord Jesus Christ taught, if we love Him we will keep His commandments. Our greatest reason for being on this earth is to glorify God.

This is a Christ-like attitude. He could say that He had finished the work God gave Him to do, He had glorified God on the earth (John 17:4). When Cargill got to his execution he was still emphasising this point. “Let never one think he is in the right exercise of true religion, that has not a zeal for God’s public glory”. The public glory of Christ was an important theme – glory in the Church and in society. It is possible for us to glorify God in the secrecy of our hearts. But surely we want to bring as much glory to God as we possibly can, in every way and in every area of life that we can. George Hutcheson comments on the practical application of Christ’s words in John 17:4. While Christ’s work was unique (and we are thankful that it is finished), we can still learn from His obedience.

1. Everyone Has a Work to Do

No one is sent into the world to be idle. They have a task and service given to them in relation to their general calling and specific place and position. Jesus Christ Himself had work on earth.

2. Our Work Must Aim at God’s Glory

We cannot serve our generation acceptably (nor will God accept any work we do) unless His glory is our chief aim in it. Christ says that He has glorified God in this work.

3. We Can Glorify God on Earth

Glorifying God is not something that waits until we come to heaven where we can do it without any interruption. It is to be engaged in on earth where so few consider this work and there are so many difficulties and temptations to divert us from it. It especially commends Christ’s service that it was done on earth.

4.  We Want to Glorify God as Much as Possible

Those who have been sincerely aiming to glorify God will still be endeavouring to glorify Him more and more. Christ had glorified God but in John 17:1 He still expresses His aim to glorify God.

5. God is Glorified Only by the Work that He Assigns to Us

God is glorified by our work and actions for Him and not by mere profession alone. He gives us our tasks and will only be glorified by what He has assigned to us in our place and position. Christ had a work which God gave Him to do and He glorified God in it.

6. We Must Complete the Work Given Us to Do

We must not only begin but also complete the work to the end before we receive a full reward. Christ’s example teaches us this; He said “I have finished the work”.

7. It Will Give Peace at Death if We Have Completed Our Work

If we hope to have comfort at the end of our lives and desire to give a testimony to such comfort we ought to make it our chief concern to glorify God. We ought to engage incessantly in His service in our own place and position until we finish our course. Christ has left us an example in this. He sought to be glorified with the Father after His death (verse 5) and has this sweet testimony. He had glorified God on the earth and finished the work given Him to do (see also 2 Timothy 4:7-8 and Isaiah 38:1-3).

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