tagged 
glory
glory Awaken to Glory
Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 12:02AM 
Moses saw the glory of God. The encounter was transformational—it changed him so much the people of Israel asked him, “Please, cover it up, you’re freaking us out.”
Glory is a strange word these days. It has the feel of movies like Gladiator, or the hyped opening to an NFL game. Religious people use it, too, but I’m not sure we know what it’s all about. It conjures up notions of Pentecostals run amuck shouting “Glory, Hallelujah!” or even that God’s glory is in the sunset—which is true, but not very useful.
But what if the glory of God wasn’t the stuff of Old Testament stories, Hollywood hoopla, or religious delusions? What if glory was a substance so real it burned our skin, or killed cancer better than chemo? What if God designed his glory to be an agent of change? Apparently the Apostle Paul had such a notion: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Another what if: What if, in quoting Romans 3:23 we focused on God’s intention instead of our sin? The famous verse reminds us “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But we have walked the Romans road so often we think only of our shortcomings, but not the destination. In this case, that we were made to live in his glory, to reflect his glory, to interact with his glorious, manifest presence. That’s a game-changer for me, and the possibilities are quite literally, endless.
If we dare to circle back to the 2 Corinthians verse quoted above we are faced with the question, "What would it mean--in real-life, practical terms--to progress from glory to glory?" What would it mean in real life if our expectations were focused on an infinite path, a path designed to transform us more and more into his image? How would it change things if we awoke to our destiny to be conformed to the image of Christ?
One of the unspoken needs of the western church is to rediscover the stuff of Biblical legend, called glory. We, too, could ask (as moses asked) “Show me Your glory!”
Someone has seen that day. He spoke of what he saw when he said the sons and daughters of the kingdom will shine like the sun, but we thought he was just being poetic.
Reader Comments (7)
The two scriptures you mentioned are so close to my heart. Vs 24 "And ALL are justified freely through the redemption that CAME by Christ Jesus". I would go as far to say that this is not a destination. According to this verse, whatever went wrong in vs 23 has been made right, presently. Perhaps we are deceived into thinking we don't have what we already have. Also, the last time I looked into a mirror it reflected the very essence of who I am not who I am becoming! That's huge. Perhaps the transformation is in our minds and not in our substance!!! Our eyes are opening to see who He has made us to be all along and because of His work on the cross
Hi Luke: I can tell you're charged up about these themes, and that's excellent. Thanks for reminding us that the Word doesn't stop at Romans 3:23--there's more--and it's good.
Great read. Discovering the concept of glory (The amount of manifest presence we can encounter without dying) has transformed my worship forever. It's transformed the way I view gatherings, or even the purpose of the church. God wants to manifest His glory, and he wants us to have the heart of Moses, declaring "if it doesn't go with us, how will be be different than all the other people?" (Exous 33:16).. I feel that an unhealthy understanding and lack of seeking glory has left a large portion of the western church in Ichabod (glory departed; Judges 4:21). Because the people of God havent told the wonders of God, weve done "what was right in our own eyes" (Judges 17:6). We've reverted to pop psychology preaching, shoulders up worship, assuming the gospel depends on the way we present it, and forgotten that the glory God has provided to fill that void (he has put eternity in our hearts; Eccles 3:11) is only found in Jesus (glory as of the only Son from the Father; John 1:14). Looking forward to the day we stand before limitless glory.. caught up in wonder and worship!
Thanks, Chris. May God save us from "shoulders up worship." (Great phrase). Peace to you!
might you be persuaded to write about the two times you saw God's glory? 'cause I'd love to hear about it.
Hi Katie: One reader commented over on Facebook that I should be able to recognize God's glory in the heavens (as in Psalm 19), and I stand corrected on that account. Yet, there is a difference between his glory revealed in creation and his glory manifested in a tangible way. So--thanks for the suggestion, and I'll try to post my personal experiences , and some take-aways from them, next Thursday (March 21). Peace to you!
Exodus 34:32-35
According to Matthew 8 I submit before this congregation that the “people of Israel asked him, “Please, cover it up, you’re freaking us out.”” never happened.
2 Corinthians 3:13-18
If we were to inherit eternal life according to Luke 10:25-37 the love of tolerance and mercy is radiantly and gloriously gifted from our creator Lord God. We are only asked to reciprocate what is offered. I do not see such a reflection in the reference to a possible splinter in the eye of Pentecostals.
Matthew 13:41-46
What spirit are we reflecting here? The "Glory" in Psalms? Pause (selah)