THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE " . . . with Him . . . " -- Tomorrow:
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Col 3:1-4)
Devotion 24 of 25
It is our association with Jesus that will cause us to be seen as we really are. In fact, it is His glory that will transform us, like the glory of God at Sinai changed the skin of Moses' face (2 Cor 3:13). As it is written, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as He is" (1 John 3:2). Our text is saying the very same thing.
The very same principle is at work in believers now. To the degree that they have seen Christ, they are like Him. Their spiritual perception of Jesus strictly determines the degree to which they are like Him. A glory that is not seen cannot be reflected! Thus it is written of us beholding the Lord's glory, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor 3:18). That change is taking place now in stages. When the Lord appears, the change will be brought to glorious and intended consummation.
It is our identity with Jesus in this world that assures our identity with Him when He returns. That is when the saints will appear as they really are. Simultaneously, all of the wicked will appear as they really are as well. Thus it is written, "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; WHEN He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day" (2 Thess 1:7-10).
IN GLORY
" . . . in glory"
The glory that causes the heavens and earth to pass away (Rev 20:11) will be the means by which we are revealed. The very same glory that causes the ungodly to call out for rocks and mountains to cover them (Rev 6:16) will be occasion of our greatest joy and confidence.
This revelation will be the ultimate fulfillment of God's predetermined purpose – a purpose that is no longer secret, but has been revealed. "For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified" (Rom 8:29-30). That glorification will be fulfilled when at last we "appear with Him in glory."
Those two verses (Rom 8:29-30) contain eleven references to Deity, thereby confirming the real nature of salvation. (1) GOD is the one who foreknew. (2) HE is the one who predestinated that the people be conformed to the image of (3) HIS (4) SON. He determined (5) HIS (6) SON would be the (7) FIRSTBORN among many brethren. (8) GOD called us. (9) GOD justified us. And (10) GOD will yet glorify us at (11) Christ's appearing. That reveals the proper emphasis of salvation: God and Christ Jesus, His only begotten Son!
The glory will be HIS glory, but it will change us, conforming us to Christ's own image. Thus we will be "like Him." That is why we will dwell forever with the Lord. That is why we will be fully qualified to be "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:17).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the prospect of being glorified – conformed to the image of Your Son.