A Weekly Word from your Pastor
Glorification
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
Romans 8:16-17
We have seen that we are justified by faith. We are sanctified by the Spirit of God within us that helps us mature in the faith. And when we leave this life and journey to the next, God will glorify us. To be glorified is to be elevated above what now is your current state of being. God will raise us to a new body that is without the evidence of sin and is now capable of living in a new heaven and new earth where sin no longer resides.
One cannot be glorified unless it is doen by the hand of God. There is no way that we can glorify ourselves. We are unable to elevate ourselves to this state of being. Only God can glorify someone.
We see two examples of this glorification in the context of the New Testament. The most vivid expression comes in Matthew 17 (also found in Mark 9 & Luke 9.) Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on a mountain. While they are there Jesus is transfigured before them in His glorified body. Along with Him Moses and Elijah appear in their glorified bodies. It is a preview of things to come. These resurrected bodies are real to Peter, James and John. Peter wants to erect a tabernacle for them. A cloud descends and the Father speaks from the cloud and Moses and Elijah disappear just as they had appeared.
We can be assured that those who are justified and working toward sanctification will one day be rewarded with a glorified body. We can also see that we will be recognizable, just as Moses and Elijah were.
Can you imagine what that will be like? To spend eternity in a body that knows no sin. There will be no thought of sin. There will be no attitude of sin. There will be no sinful actions or results of sin. We will be elevated to a higher state than we have ever been accustomed to.
Glorification can only be attained by the hand of God. We must be justified by faith and live a life worthy of being sanctified. When we live out this life and God calls us home we can be assured that God will provide for us a glorified body. It will not be consumed by any health problems or infirmities. We will be elevated to a place that only God can take us. We will use these bodies to praise and bring glory to Jesus. The one who died and is rose again to be the first fruit of a glorified body. To Him be praise and glory forever.
Dear Jesus thank you for your sacrifice and thank you for paving the way for a glorified body for all who believe. Help us to continue to be sanctified every day as we walk in your ways. May our goal be to be like Jesus as we await your coming. We praise you because you paved the way to allow us to live eternally in your presence. In you holy name we pray, Amen.