September 13, 2013
Romans 3:23 — For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Glory! The sun sets on Florida. Colors not present in any human palette paint the clouds with glory. The clouds are illuminated by a hint of the reflection of the glory of God. Glory! What is that though …?
There are some very silly ideas of glory. Look at some recent headlines:
Now, I have nothing against golfers, entertainers or business people (I might even say I was one) — but none of this glory is really glory. At least, it’s not the same as the glory of God. I’m not sure I can exactly define the glory of God, but I think I can describe how it differs from any human kind of glory. Actually, looking at those headlines above might help.
God’s Glory is one of His attributes. It is an inalienable characteristic of His nature. It cannot be given, nor taken away. It is not something He bathes in. It is like love. It is what God is!
Did I say I wasn’t sure that I could exactly define the glory of God? Actually I know I can’t. That verse from Romans, so often quoted to “prove” our sinful nature carries also the truth that we will always fail to reach to a full understanding of any of God’s attributes – we all fall short of the glory … but I can say something of what the Old and New Testament words for glory are used to convey.
In the Old Testament “glory” describes three things — God’s perfection in character and morality, the visible representation of that perfection, and the praise and honor God’s people give to Him. In the New Testament much the same is true — one sense is the evident praiseworthiness of God, and the other is the response of praise that God’s character attracts.
I know there is much more that could be said in an attempt to define it, but this is a blog, not an essay! One more idea has occupied my mind, though. How can the glory of God be seen through the ages? It is a wonderfully changing story.
In Old Testament times, as has been said, God’s glory was physically manifested. When His Son walked the earth. He showed God’s glory, as Hebrews 1:1-2 tell us:
“… His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person …”.
Now, in the Church age glory is imperfectly shown in the members of the Church, the Bride of Christ — We “are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Imperfect though we are, all falling short of His glory, we are touched with it. When Christ returns — “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3)
The Father, the Son, and His Bride … at the end, we will be united. Believers will be fully glorified at the end of time in God’s heavenly presence.
This devotion is already too long for me to include the end of the story — but it has already been written in Chapter 21 of the Revelation.
Of the glory of God — beyond all telling!