“He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14 NLT).
What is glory? The dictionary defines it as “high renown or honor,” with an accompanying aspect of “magnificence or great beauty.” The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica, reminding them that even though they were experiencing trouble in this world now, one day they would share in the glory of Jesus.
What is this glory that believers share with the Lord Jesus Christ? First, it is a present glory. Remember the prayer of Jesus in John 17? He said, “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one” (John 17:22). The present glory we share with Christ is oneness with the Father and unity with other believers. Unity is a glorious thing! And being right with God and having His Spirit indwell us is even more glorious! We have been given the glory of eternal life, adopted as God’s children, and received the righteousness of Christ credited to our account. This is our present glory in Christ Jesus!
Then there is the future glory we will share with Jesus. Not His essential glory, which is uniquely His as the Son of God. But the blessed glory, which is ours by a gift received from Him. For we will share eternity with Him as joint heirs as the ages roll by. It is hard to describe this future glory. For as the apostle Paul quoted Isaiah, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor.2:9). There is a future glory we will share that is beyond comprehension!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are in awe of You and of Your Son, Jesus. That You would save us is amazing. But that You would allow us to share in the glory of Jesus is beyond compare. Help us not to glory in the things of this world. Instead, we rejoice that our names are written in heaven! In Jesus’ name, amen.