Glorification

For Christians, there’s much more to life than what this present world has to offer. Don’t get me wrong. God has given us plenty of good things to enjoy here and now. While this world has its trials, it also has some amazing blessings.

Even so, we as Christians always keep one eye on heaven. We know that the best is yet to come. We look forward to a future transformation of our minds, hearts, and bodies that the Bible refers to as ‘glorification’. Glorification means that we will one day experience totally all the benefits we now have in Jesus Christ positionally.

Let me put it this way. Glorification means that one day we’re going to have a physical transformation. Our bodies are going to be reconfigured to enjoy eternity. We’ll be free from physical suffering and pain. For those whose lives have been characterised by illnesses, limitations, and hardship the doctrine of glorification is a beacon of hope. Paul, in Romans 8.18, said, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Think about it, no more pain, no more suffering, no more diseases or illnesses or surgeries or chemo treatments.  Our bodies will be glorified, transformed to be like the body of our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. In Philippians 3.21, Paul says that Jesus Christ “will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” We’ll be free from suffering, free to enjoy heaven for all eternity.

But glorification doesn’t refer only to the body. It refers to a spiritual transformation as well. In heaven our bodies will be free from suffering, and in heaven our spirits will be free from sin. First John 3.2 tells us, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” Our minds can’t begin to grasp the splendour of heaven or of our future glorified state. Right now our hearts are saturated with sin. We can barely imagine being free from sinful thoughts, motives, or attitudes. But in heaven we’ll be like Jesus. We’ll be free from the grip of sin, free from emotional scars that leave a trial of sorrow in our lives, free from the persistent pestering of our sinful natures. We’ll be able to entertain pure thoughts. We’ll be able to enjoy pure relationships. We’ll be transformed to live in holiness forever.

Have you received Jesus Christ as your Saviour? If you have, God’s Word assures you that you will one day be glorified. Why not invite Jesus into your heart right now? Then, let’s enjoy the life God’s given us here on earth, and let’s look forward to the life God’s promised us in heaven.