Glorification, we eagerly await
Rom.8:18-25 is a good reading. Let me quote v. 20-21 “ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labours with birth pangs together until now.” Paul viewed creation, not only scientifically, but also theologically. He is stating a fact that the entire natural world, the entire creation is also waiting for that consummation that it desires. Sin has caused all creation to fall from the perfect condition in which God created it. Since then, the created natural world has been in bondage to death and decay. Because of that it cannot fulfil its intended purpose. One day all creation will be liberated and transformed. Until that time creation waits in eager expectation for the resurrection of God’s children- that is their glorification. Paul is personifying the created world-that is the plants, animals and the earth itself are like human beings eagerly longing, eagerly waiting, and looking forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.
We can see every day that the world is physically decaying and spiritually infected with sin. We see evidence of that in our own bodies. Our bodies at the beginning are not what they are now. It did not suffer from diseases, it did not suffer pain, it was not a frail body. Paul calls it “our body of our humiliation” (Phil. 3:21). There are elements of decay in our bodies. Originally, there was perfect beauty, a kind of glory. But when man fell into sin, he fell in every respect. His glory departed from him, marred by sin.
Christ who came gave us salvation and we became a new creation. Our forgiveness is just the beginning. What is offered for us in Christ is more than just forgiveness; it is glorification. The cross brings us at the bank of the river, but the resurrection of Jesus takes us across the river. That is our glorification.
What is glorification? According to Martyn L Jones, “What does the apostle mean when he says that we shall be “glorified together?” (v. 17b). Glorification means full and entire deliverance from sin and evil in all its effects and in every respect-body, soul, and spirit. The whole man will be completely and entirely delivered from every harmful effect of sin, every tarnishing, polluting effect of sin. Not only so, we shall become like the Lord Jesus Christ, perfect men, glorified men. He is already glorified, and we shall be glorified; our glorification, like everything else that happens to us in the Christian life, is the result of our being joined to Him.” You see, Christ is the personification of God’s grace. He is grace! One day when I will meet God in heaven, all I can say is ‘thank you for your grace, thank you for the privilege of serving you during my short span of life on earth. Thank for your grace.’
