What is Glorification?

Here's another word which we Christians carelessly toss around. Glorification means to be worthy of praise or to give praise to God. Glory also is used to describe the pure and brilliant light which surrounds God.

We read of God's brilliance in Exodus 24:17 (BBE) which says, "And the glory of the Lord was like a flame on the top of the mountain before the eyes of the children of Israel."

Moses wanted to see the glory of the Lord close up but God didn't show it all to him. Exodus 33:19 (BBE) explains, "And he said, 'I will make all the light of my being come before you, and will make clear to you what I am; I will be kind to those to whom I will be kind, and have mercy on those on whom I will have mercy. But it is not possible for you to see my face, for no man may see me and still go on living."

Glorifying God is praise to him, as we see in 1 Chronicles 16:29 (BBE). "Give to the Lord the glory of his name; take with you an offering and come before him; give worship to the Lord in holy robes."

We also learn from Colossians 1:27 (BBE) that Christ is in us, giving us hope for future glory in heaven with him. "To whom God was pleased to give knowledge of the wealth of the glory of this secret among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"

Paul also reminds us in Colossians 3:4 (BBE) that we will someday share Christ's glory. "At the coming of Christ who is our life, you will be seen with him in glory."

I'll be mentioning this glory in detail in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Non Christians don't know what they're missing out on when they reject salvation. Many believers likewise miss out on the true meaning of the glory we'll share with our heavenly Father. I feel sad for both groups and I pray that my book will awaken in them the desire to study the scriptures as the folks in Beroea did.

On Thursday, I'll begin the month with what mortification means.

Saturday Song: The Electric Light Orchestra, "Mission: A New World Record"

Being a science fiction fan, this song naturally appealed to me when I heard it in January of 1977. In it, an alien is sent to the planet Earth to be an observer. He takes up his position at a place called the Mission of the Sacred Heart and notes the unfortunate humans coming there.

Hear this beautiful song here.

To some folks, it seems like God is just sitting and watching the world go to hell. Because he permits all sorts of inequities to occur, they assume he doesn't care.

But we see that he does work in ways mysterious to the unsaved world. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV), "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."

Paul also mentioned this mystery in Colossians 1:27 (KJV), "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:"

Additionally, we have a privilege which the prophets of old never had. Look at what 1 Peter 1:10 (KJV) reveals. "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:"

What a privilege being saved is! To the world, it's foolishness but to us it's the height of wisdom. No wonder Satan works so hard to keep the world blind to such a magnificent truth. They'd reject his lies if they only knew.

On Monday, I'll post about repentance and what the Bible says about this important step of Christian life.

What's This Personal Relationship With Christ?

Bearing what I previously wrote in mind, I need to explain what the meaning is of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In brief, it means becoming his friend, disciple, servant,  and child.

When we give ourselves to Christ, we become far more than mere property. John 15:15 (KJV) quotes Jesus as saying to his disciples, "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."

Furthermore, we know him intimately as a true friend. Look at what Christ said in Revelation 3:20 KJV). "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Unlike uninvited strangers, we invite Jesus into our lives and he fellowships with us like a dinner guest.

Here's another great promise, this time from Colossians 1:27 (KJV.) "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:" Ponder that mind-blowing truth for a while.

Not only that but we inherit the riches of Christ. Check out what Galatians 3:29 (KJV) says. "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed,  and heirs according to the promise."

And how do we become heirs? We become adoptees. Paul wrote in Galatians 4:5 (KJV), "To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

He also wrote in Romans 8:15 (KJV), "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, 'Abba, Father.'"

Even better, this adoption is physical as well as spiritual. Consider what Paul wrote in Romans 8:23 (KJV), "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Now isn't all that worth giving up your selfish will to the Lord?

In my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven?, I hope to go into deeper detail about the rewards of a surrendered life to Christ. What a bargain it is that when we give up ourselves to him, we get all he is in return.