PREPARE FOR GLORY

                                                                                                                                                                    By W. G. Guy

          The word “Glory” as used in the New Testament comes from the Greek doxa which means to render esteem or honor, and refers to one’s dignity, which is the quality of their character and nature.

          Obviously the “glory” referred to in the Bible is about the character and nature of God, and the LORD Jesus Christ.  When God formed man, He breathed His own Spirit into him which means that man was created with the glory of God; with His character and nature.  A description of this character and nature (glory) is given to us in the Book of Galatians, called the Fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22=23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

          Thus the glory of God was in Adam at the beginning.  Unfortunately, due to the subtlety of the devil, sin came into the first couple and that glory of God was lost.  Mankind since has been devoid of the God’s glory: His character and nature.

Romans 3:23 –  for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 

          We are familiar with the sin part of this verse but most fail to recognize the last part of this verse: “fall short of the glory of God” as a result of that sin. This identifies the loss of God’s character and nature that was originally part of Adam.  The good news, or gospel message, is that this glory can return to mankind; but that is only through accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and LORD.

Colossians 1:26-27 – even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:  to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

          This glory is restored to us by faith and being faithful (obedient) to Christ.  It was His glory that was lost in mankind due to sin.

Luke 19:10 – For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

          Unfortunately, most churches are not working to form Christ in their people.  Yet this is the very purpose of the five, God ordained, gift ministries. 

Ephesians 4:10-13 –  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

          As true believers in Christ grow to spiritual maturity, Christ is formed in them as they live in obedience to the precious promises of His Word.  Mature Christians live their lives in Christ-like obedience and actually represent Him because they have changed their lives and live in accordance to Him and the promises of his Word.  This fulfills the “mystery”; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

2 Peter 1:3-4 –  according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, (God’s glory as His children), having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

          Mature believers in Christ exhibit His likeness; His character and nature, also called the Fruit of the Spirit.  This fruit is also tested by the devil and the world through trials, testing and tribulations that we suffer and endure.

1 Peter 4:13-14 –  but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: 

          Trials and tribulation prepares us for that glory.

2 Corinthians 4:17 – For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 

Romans 5:3-5 –  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  and patience, experience; and experience, hope:  and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  (Note: Love is the primary Fruit of the Spirit.)

          Jesus came to restore mankind to the former glory of God that was lost.

Hebrews 2:9-11 –  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

          The apostle Paul labored to present the gospel to others to bring this restoration.  Following are more scriptures relating to His glory being imputed to those of us who receive and walk with Christ.

2 Timothy 2:10-11 – Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 – But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:  whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:17-18 –  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:  the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 

2 Corinthians 3:18 –  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.

Romans 8:17-18 –  and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

John 17:5 & 22 –  And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. ….. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

          Thus the glory that God originally placed in man is restored, but only in and through Jesus Christ!  Are you in Christ and prepared to live in this divine GLORY; which is Christ in you?