“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?” (Romans 8:18-24 esv)
God’s glory is that which is impressive, great, weighty, powerful, beautiful and awesome about God. We ourselves, made in the image of God, are attracted to glory, though – like Lucifer and Adam – we seek an autonomous glory rather than reflective glory, through glorifying self rather than God. Salvation comes when we begin to see the hidden glory of Jesus Christ, and by faith we are united to him. Thus we shall see and share in his glory when it is manifested to all creation at his coming. Then, like the moon reflects the glory of the sun, we too – along with all renewed creation—will reflect the full, manifest glory of God. It is almost inconceivable, but we will be taken up into the glory of God. For the believer this involves a perfected soul and spirit, without sin, a resurrected and incorruptible body like Jesus’, and a calling to rule and relate with others in fruitful activity within God’s kingdom in a new heaven and earth. Before then, a glorious body must first have a glorious personality,
which is the inward glory of Christlikeness, whereby we grow in character and spiritual grace to be fitting for that day. By faith we follow the footsteps of him who humbled himself to serve the glory of his Father by obedience and suffering. Future glory is coming: if God created the universe, and if God raised his Son to glory, then God can and will resurrect the universe.
Some "--tion" words...
--Justification… God removes the guilt and penalty of my sin. [declared righteous - past]
--Sanctification… God enables me to overcome the power of sin. [growth in righteousness - present]
--Glorification… God removes me from the presence of sin altogether. [perfected in righteousness - future]
The believer's glorification includes:
Phil 3:21; 1 Peter 1:7; Rev 3:21; 21-22.)
Quotes:
“Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.” (Jonathan Edwards)
“To believe in heaven is not to run away from life; it is to run towards it.” (Joseph D. Blinco)
“Heaven is the perfectly ordered and harmonious enjoyment of God and of one another in God.” (Augustine)
“Christians are not citizens of earth trying to get to heaven, but citizens of heaven making their way through the world.” (Vance Havner)
“There are three things which the true Christian desires in respect to sin: justification, that it might not condemn; sanctification, that it may not reign; and glorification, that it may not be.” (Richard Cecil)
“Remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.” (--C. S. Lewis, “The Weight of Glory”, 1942)
God’s glory is that which is impressive, great, weighty, powerful, beautiful and awesome about God. We ourselves, made in the image of God, are attracted to glory, though – like Lucifer and Adam – we seek an autonomous glory rather than reflective glory, through glorifying self rather than God. Salvation comes when we begin to see the hidden glory of Jesus Christ, and by faith we are united to him. Thus we shall see and share in his glory when it is manifested to all creation at his coming. Then, like the moon reflects the glory of the sun, we too – along with all renewed creation—will reflect the full, manifest glory of God. It is almost inconceivable, but we will be taken up into the glory of God. For the believer this involves a perfected soul and spirit, without sin, a resurrected and incorruptible body like Jesus’, and a calling to rule and relate with others in fruitful activity within God’s kingdom in a new heaven and earth. Before then, a glorious body must first have a glorious personality,
which is the inward glory of Christlikeness, whereby we grow in character and spiritual grace to be fitting for that day. By faith we follow the footsteps of him who humbled himself to serve the glory of his Father by obedience and suffering. Future glory is coming: if God created the universe, and if God raised his Son to glory, then God can and will resurrect the universe.
Some "--tion" words...
--Justification… God removes the guilt and penalty of my sin. [declared righteous - past]
--Sanctification… God enables me to overcome the power of sin. [growth in righteousness - present]
--Glorification… God removes me from the presence of sin altogether. [perfected in righteousness - future]
The believer's glorification includes:
- An eternal, imperishable, resurrected body.
- Removal of all evil and sin, in self and others.
- God’s approval of and delight in us.
- Full experience of God’s manifested glory.
- Kingdom rule with Jesus Christ.
- Life in a perfected, loving community.
- Creative, fruitful activity with others.
- All creation made new and incorruptible.
Phil 3:21; 1 Peter 1:7; Rev 3:21; 21-22.)
Quotes:
“Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.” (Jonathan Edwards)
“To believe in heaven is not to run away from life; it is to run towards it.” (Joseph D. Blinco)
“Heaven is the perfectly ordered and harmonious enjoyment of God and of one another in God.” (Augustine)
“Christians are not citizens of earth trying to get to heaven, but citizens of heaven making their way through the world.” (Vance Havner)
“There are three things which the true Christian desires in respect to sin: justification, that it might not condemn; sanctification, that it may not reign; and glorification, that it may not be.” (Richard Cecil)
“Remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.” (--C. S. Lewis, “The Weight of Glory”, 1942)
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