The Christian Way to Glory, Part One

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18

There was once a young boy whose walk to school took him past an artist’s studio. One morning the boy found the studio door open and, unable to resist temptation, he stuck his head in. In the middle of the studio floor stood an enormous block of stone. The boy was awed at the size of this stone block. The artist was nowhere to be seen and so the boy continued on his way to school.

Months later that same boy passed by that same artist’s studio, and once again he found the door open. Once again, unable to resist temptation, the boy peeked into the studio and was amazed at what he saw. The boy found the artist at work and instead of merely a block of stone the boy saw the form of a magnificent lion taking shape. “Mister,” the boy asked, “how did you know that there was a lion inside that block of stone?” The artist smiled at the boy and replied, “Son, when I first saw this block of stone, I saw the lion inside.”

Have you ever wondered what kind of person you would be if you lived up to your potential in Christ? Have you ever wondered what God had in mind as he shaped you in the womb? If you are a Christian, then the Holy Spirit is living in you and you are in the process of transformation (2 Corinthians 3:18). While we’ll never see the completion of this transformation this side of heaven the Bible gives it a name: glory.

What exactly is glory? The dictionary tells us that glory is great honor, praise, or distinction accorded by common consent. In other words, glory involves doing or being something great, and having other people recognize and applaud that greatness. We might say glory is “greatness on display.”

Glory is the blaze of fall foliage on an October morning. Glory is a child’s artwork hung up on the refrigerator for everyone to see. Glory is a student walking across the platform to receive her diploma. Glory is a man and woman on their wedding day, in all their finery, declaring their love in the company of family and friends. Glory is that same man and woman 50 years later, surrounded by generations of loved ones, toasting the love they have shared for so many years.

Is it becoming clearer now? Glory is someone or something at its very best, seen and celebrated by others. And glory is what God promises for all those who turn to him in faith; glory is the endgame of his eternal purposes. If you’re in Christ, you’re on the road to glory!*

Bringing It Home
1. What evidence of transformation have you seen in your life in the past year? Ask a close friend what evidence they see in you.

2. Spend a few moments in prayer, thanking God for the gift of transformation that leads to glory.

Prayer
Lord, looking in the mirror I find it hard to believe that I’m on the road to glory. I see my faults and failures. I know that I don’t live up to my own standards, let alone yours. Thank you for Jesus, through whom I have forgiveness. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, through whom I have both the power and the assurance that you are at work in me. I am grateful for the gift of your grace in my life!
Amen.

*This four-part series of Faith@Work devotions was largely inspired by Pastor Bryan Wilkerson’s sermon “The Great Reveal.”

Jeff Marian
Prince of Peace, Burnsville, MN
www.princeofpeaceonline.org