Church people love talking about the glory of God. We like Isaiah’s image of God’s train filling the temple, and the pictures John paints of the glory of Heaven. Ezekiel’s wheels intrigue us as do his descriptions of beasts covered in eyes with six wings. We can’t truly wrap our brain around the enormity of our Creator and the grand, indescribable holy things the Bible authors tried to relate.
But when I introduce the concept that humans–you and I–not only have permission, but are also encouraged to think of ourselves in heavenly, glorified terms, I see dumbstruck faces looking back at me.
Permission to Walk Right Up to the Throne of God
Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (CSB)
Yep, we have permission to approach the throne of God with boldness. Covered by the blood of our High Priest, Jesus, the Almighty Father invites us to come right to Him. We don’t need an appointment or a pre-authorized, gilded pass. He’s our Dad. So, we just walk in anytime we want.
But, because God is our Father and Jesus our Brother and Savior, we have also been given the gift of His glory.
. . . if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:17 (CSB)
And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
Romans 8:30 (CSB)
You might think it’s only for after this life is over, but check out Romans 8:30 again. You’ve been called, justified, and glorified. Now, you and I both accept the present tense of called and justified. Why, then, do we question the present tense of glorified? God intends to glorify us here on Earth.
And that’s usually too much for people to handle.
Embrace the Glory
I imagine that scene from A Few Good Men–You can’t handle the truth.”
That’s our problem. We can’t handle the truth. The thought that we carry with us the glory of God is more than we can comprehend. And that’s not a bad thing. It keeps us from getting too proud and arrogant. On the other hand, it also keeps us from shining bright in this dark world.
Romans says one day our true glory will be revealed. Creation waits in eager anticipation for it (Romans 8:18-20). Meanwhile, until that day, we need to embrace the fact that those who have been transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ through salvation and cleansing by the Holy Spirit carry with them the same glory Jesus carried while He walked on this Earth.
He carried it without a holier-than-thou attitude or the fanfare due his status, but He carried it just the same. He walked with quiet dignity and led with gentle authority. People could tell there was something about Him. They could sense the glory of God surrounding Him even if they couldn’t see it.
Because Jesus embraced His identity as the Son of God, the glory of Heaven rested on His human form. You and I are invited to experience the same.
If you’ve been justified–something we can’t do ourselves; this happens only through the blood of Christ covering our sins–then you’ve also been glorified. So pick up the blessing of your mantle–unless, of course, it’s just too much for your to handle.
