To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:21).
The glory of God is forever clearly seen in the Church by Jesus Christ. This glory that is seen in the Church is shared glory. The Father has called us to be the reflection of Christ’s incomparable beauty and majesty, which are depicted in His holiness, righteousness, justice, and power. He generously gives these to His Body. He, being the fullness of the godhead bodily, joyfully shares His fullness with His Church. Scripture says, “and He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23). As is the head, so is the Body. Christ is the image of the invisible God and the Church is the visible representation of Christ in the earth, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Otherwise, Jesus would have a body insufficiently equipped to carry out His wishes and demands. Life would be insufferable were we not enabled with God’s power “for it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell” (Colossians 1:19). It is through Christ that the glory of God is communicated to the Church. Jesus, while on the earth was the embodiment of God’s glory, and we, the Church, are now the embodiment of Christ’s glory in the earth.
Lazarus’ sickness was for the glory of God, for the revealing of the Father’s person, power, and love, and Jesus was also glorified in His raising Lazarus from the dead! Likewise, we display Christ’s glory when we are obedient to His will and are shrouded with the glory of the Son of God. This glory is best seen when an earthen vessel performs other-worldly acts contrary to the human norm, such as loving your enemies, doing good to those who hate you, blessing those who curse you, and praying for those who spitefully use you (Matthew 5:44). These acts of the Church are a great part of showing forth the glory of God through Jesus Christ.
Therefore, let us live our lives using “the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11).
Pastor Don
To be continued …