Theological Sharpening: “Glorification” – Hey friends. I just had a thought as I was reading about glory today and wanted to share the thought that popped into my head. As always, these discussions should stay positive as we sharpen each other’s swords, knowing that we all come form different denominations and backgrounds.
I was reading in John 17 about the flow of glory and unity that passed from God, through Christ, through His disciples, and that has been given to us. After much study, it would seem that this glory is really a term used to describe the all-encompassing nature of God’s holiness. However, no matter how we define glory, I ran into an interesting question as I was applying the “glory” described in John 17 to the glory found in Romans 8:30.
It reads, “and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” Now compare this to the glory described in John 17, “22 The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”
You see, I have always been taught that glorification was the final state in perfection that took place after we died and when Christ returned during the second coming, yet if I truly follow the context and flow of the scriptures, the fullness of God’s glory seems to be given to us as we receive and accept the Word of God. The term is wrapped up in the process of unity and fellowship. This entire flow of knowledge and understanding and the transmission of glory is very clearly and meticulously depicted in John 17. We can not dispute the fact that the disciples were given the fullness of this glory and full acceptance into fellowship with God through Christ Jesus. Not future tense. Not after we die. Not after Jesus comes back… Glory today…
That doesn’t mean we don’t still need to grow and develop our faith, yet how does receiving the fullness of His glory at conversion effect our other theological ideas on the process of sanctification?
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts…Glory (I mean Holiness) Unto the Lord…