What Happens When We Recognize God’s Glory In Christ?
We have been looking at the unique way that John’s gospel has introduced Christ. He began by saying that Christ was the Word of God, was God and was with God from eternity past. God’s oath to send a Savior was fulfilled in Christ. God’s truth was revealed in human form. Then we saw that John presents Christ as the light of the world. The only true light of life that shines into the heart of man to reveal the gospel of truth. Light also reveals the depth of darkness that is present in the heart of man. The more I know of God’s word, the more I understand His majesty and righteousness; the more I recognize my utter depravity. As I begin to understand His righteousness, I realize that my best efforts of human righteousness are just filthy rags in comparison. Next, we see John write, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). He has presented Christ as the Word, the one true light and the portrait of glory. He goes on to say that “No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father hath declared Him” (John 1:18)
GLORY REVEALED
God had even told Moses that no man could see the fullness of His Glory and live, so that Moses was hidden in a cleft of the rock when God passed by so Moses could see a glimpse of Him. Yet God sent His only begotten son, full of glory to provide the means for mankind’s salvation. In the redemptive work of Christ we see diverse aspects of God’s Glory. We are able to see God’s perfect righteousness displayed.
We see God’s wrath against sin as it is poured out upon His own son so that man could be redeemed. We are able to glimpse upon the magnitude of God’s love for you and me. We see glimpses of God’s overwhelming love for His son’s Glory. It is part of what Jonathan Edwards describes as the “diverse excellencies” of Jesus Christ. In Christ, we see a completeness in the display of God’s Glory—in that every aspect is revealed. By that I mean His Perfect Grace cannot be seen unless we also understand His perfect Righteousness and His perfect Justice. We cannot understand the depth of His mercy, if we could not also see the magnitude of His Power, might, and wrath against sin. In the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ all of these attributes of God are displayed to us.
ISAIAH’S PREVIEW OF GLORY
“I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another and said Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:1-3).
Isaiah had been given a glimpse of the pre-incarnate Christ seated upon His throne. When Isaiah saw a glimpse of Christ upon the throne, he fell to the ground and said” Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips, for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6: 5). Yet, with a coal from the altar (symbolic of the sacrifice of blood given upon the altar) was used to purge Isaiah’s sin. (Isaiah 6:6-7) After being cleansed, Isaiah “heard the voice of the Lord, saying. Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Then said I (Isaiah) Here am I send me” (Isaiah 6:8).
Responses to Seeing Glory:
1. Recognition of Glory-First we must recognize Glory. The eyes of our heart must be opened so that we might see Glory. This is an act of God’s grace.
2. An honest view of self in light of God’s Glory leading to repentance. Once we see a glimpse of God’s Glory we realize the depravity of our own heart. We recognize our inability to save ourselves and turn to God for Grace.
3. Salvation- When we realize our own inability to turn to God, then we must accept the only hope of salvation which can be ours—that which is given by grace alone.
4. A call to go and spread the gospel—God calls upon us to Go and spread the Gospel
5. “Here I am, send me.” A redeemed heart is a grateful heart that overflows with love and joy. Devotion to our Savior for all He has done would not allow us to respond any other way.
6. Sanctification: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord Therefore, seeing we have this ministry as we have received mercy, we faint not: But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word or God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 3:18-4:2).
[bctt tweet=”Oh that man would see the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ!!”][bctt tweet=” That we might see the Word of God revealed, desire the light of life, and seek to know His glory. “]
Listen to this beautiful song of Christ’s Glory called, I See The Lord by Ron Kenoly
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. If you can dream it, he can draw or design it for you. Do you want to surprise someone with an extraordinary special gift of a personal portrait? An idea for a book cover? Or a new logo? Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.