聖經學者兼作家巴刻（J. I. Packer）在2020年去世，距離他94歲生日僅差五天。他最為人所知的著作《認識神》，自出版以來已售出超過150萬本。巴刻捍衛聖經的權威，並且強調栽培門徒的重要性，他也敦促各地的基督徒要認真地為主而活。在晚年時，有人問他要對教會說的最後一句話是什麼，他只說了短短的一句話：「凡事榮耀基督！」

這句話正反映了使徒保羅歸信基督之後的生活。他與基督奇妙地相遇之後，便忠心耿耿地進行上帝要他去做的事，並且將最後的結果交給上帝。由使徒保羅執筆寫下的羅馬書，是整卷新約聖經最具神學教義的一封書信，而巴刻對教會所說的這句話正符合保羅所說：「榮耀上帝、我們主耶穌基督的父。」（15章6節）

保羅的生命是你我的典範。我們可以用多種方式榮耀上帝，其中一種就是活出上帝要我們過的生活，以及將每件事的結果交在上帝永恆不變的手中。無論是著書立說、參加宣教活動、在小學任教，或照顧年邁的父母，我們都應堅持相同的目標：凡事榮耀基督！當我們讀經禱告的時候，上帝會幫助我們全然順服祂，讓我們日常生活中的一言一行，都能榮耀我們的主耶穌。

James Innell Packer, better known as J. I. Packer, died in 2020 just five days shy of his ninety-fourth birthday. A scholar and writer, his best-known book, Knowing God, has sold more than 1.5 million copies since its publication. Packer championed biblical authority and disciple-making and urged believers in Christ everywhere to take living for Jesus seriously. He was asked late in life for his final words to the church. Packer had one line, just four words: “Glorify Christ every way.”

Those words reflect the life of the apostle Paul who, after his dramatic conversion, faithfully set about to do the work before him and trusted God with the results. Paul’s words found in the book of Romans are some of the most theologically packed in the entire New Testament, and Packer sums up in close company with what the apostle wrote: “Glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (15:6).

Paul’s life is an example for us. We can glorify (honor) God in many ways, but one is by living the life set before us and leaving the results in God’s unchanging hands. Whether writing books or taking missionary journeys or teaching elementary school or caring for an aging parent—the same goal holds: Glorify Christ every way! As we pray and read Scripture, God helps us live with devoted obedience and keep our daily lives on track to honor Jesus in everything we say and do.