THE DETERMINED OBJECTIVE OF SALVATION -- Tomorrow:
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us." (Romans 8:28-34, NKJV)
Devotion 24 of 33
GLORIFICATION
" . . . and whom He justified, them He also glorified."
GLORIFIED! This is the language of hope. It is something that has not yet been experienced, but is as sure as our calling and justification. Glorification is as much a part of salvation as being "called." It is as essential as being "justified." It is something that man can no more accomplish than his own calling or justification. This is something that God must do, or it will not be done. The point of our text is that He WILL do it.
Being "glorified" is the final stage of being "conformed to the image of His Son." It is when we will "be like Him," and it will happen because we will "see Him as He is" (1 John 3:1- 2). Glorification involves the complete removal of every competing and inhibiting influence. It also involves receiving a glorified body that is like Christ's "glorious body" (Phil 3:20-21).
This is glory that is eternal, and does not pertain to life in this world. It is the appointed answer to inward struggle, and "the sufferings of this present time" (8:18). We are told that salvation is "WITH eternal glory" (1 Tim 2:10), and that we have been called "unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus" (1 Pet 5:10). The Lord Jesus, in His mediatorial ministry, is "bringing many sons to glory" (Heb 2:10).
This is the appointed objective of salvation: the glorification of those who are in Christ Jesus. This is when they will be conformed to the image of God's Son (Rom 8:29). It is when "we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:1-2). It is when the sons of God will "appear" with Jesus "in glory" (Col 3:4). It is when Jesus will present the church to Himself as a bride "without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing" (Eph 5:27)."Glory" is the domain where glorification takes place. Glorification involves the total removal of every vestige of sin – everything that had its genesis in Adam! It is where God's name will be on our foreheads, so that our identity with Him will be obvious and unquestionable. This is when in every way, and without any distracting element, we shall "serve Him" (Rev 22:3-4). It is where the glorified church is described as "having the glory of God" (Rev 21:11).
In this objective, to be "glorified" means to be fully conformed to the image of God's Son. That means there will be nothing about us or in us that is unlike Jesus – nothing that detracts from Him, competes with Him, or is contrary to Him. Nothing about the glorified ones will fail to be perfectly harmonious with Christ, be incapable blending with Him, or be a cause of reproach to Him. Everything involved in the fall shall have been eliminated from the glorified ones, and everything intended by regeneration will have been incorporated into them. Nothing about them will be old, defiled, or impure. Nothing will be raw, uncultured, or imperfect.
Much of the religion of our time has to do with getting Jesus down here. He is being presented as One who wants to be part of your life, and join you in your ambitions, and desiring to assist you in reaching your goals. But this is an erroneous view. Actually, Jesus comes to bring an end to your life – so that it is no longer you that live, but Christ that lives in you (Gal 2:20). He comes to sound the death-knell to self, so that for men to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Heaven's objective is to get us there. Jesus did not say that the aim was for Him to be where we are, but for us to be where He is. That is what He said! What Jesus is doing now is bringing that glorious objective to pass!
All of this confirms that the purpose of God's "great salvation" is primarily related to the world to come, not this one. It is in prospect of the time when death will be "swallowed up in victory," and "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Rev 21:4).
Although believers have not yet been "glorified," it is spoken of as though it was already accomplished. The reason for this is that God has already determined it. But why is there such an unwavering note in this text? Is it not possible to fall into sin again, and actually be overcome by it, producing a worse state than at the first. Indeed, it is! As it is written, "For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them" (2 Pet 2:20). Why, then, speak of being glorified as though it had already occurred especially since we remain in a danger zone? It is because this is the revelation of the purpose of God. Furthermore, faith can lay hold of a word like this!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for revealing the objective of salvation, and the condition that will at last be realized by all who come to you through the Son.