The Glory of God in His Saints
The ultimate testimony of our Lord in this world is when His glory rests upon a fully surrendered saint. There is no greater miracle than the beauty of His presence in our faces. Our glory is not in our talents, our gifts, or our words; but in our praise to Him, hidden and revealed in our countenance. The Bible clearly promises that He beautifies the meek with salvation. “For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.” (Psalm 149:4)
His glory is an adorning that speaks a language of unmistakable beauty. If there is a miracle this world needs to see, it is His revelation in our daily lives. It will unsettle the darkest bondage in sinnersÂ’ lives when they are thrust into the presence of a godly saint that exudes the very glory of God.
Apostle Paul, the giant of New Testament Christianity, spoke of this glory. Read this Scripture carefully. “That no flesh should glory in his (flesh) presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 1:29-31) Our flesh in its sinful form is repulsive. The best you can do with it can only put a false glitter on a wretched skin tent. But, God, by Christ, can recreate the adamic nature into a temple of spiritual manifestation and His glow can replace the wretched form. That’s Biblical sainthood which God delights to possess.
Jesus Christ came to remove the veil that hid the saints from external spiritual glory. The First Testament or covenant was bondage to the believer because the law was foreign to his nature. The human nature needed transformation and the only Begotten Son died for this supernatural feat. The Word of God proclaims, “Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 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.” (II Corinthians 3:16-18) The veil that separated the believer from spiritual glory is gone, removed by Jesus Christ, the triumphant Redeemer.
Now, He invites us into the inner sanctuary of the Holy of Holies. Our life is no longer in the outer court, where only shadows of life can be experienced. We now have a door of entrance right into the Mercy Seat. Jesus is the Door, the Holy Spirit is the Gatekeeper, and you are a welcome guest. The Holy Spirit says, “Come on in”; but only when Christ is “all in all” in your life. There is no double mindedness in this inner sanctuary of His glory.
If you are ready to become His reflection in your total lifestyle, He is absolutely ready to take you from “glory to glory.” The Holy Spirit is the “Spirit of the Lord,” and He has been give total liberty by the Father to walk you right into the presence of the Master. The depth of His beauty leaves the glitter of this world in the ash heaps of nothingness. He is the “Rose of Sharon” and the “Lily of the Valley.” He is “Altogether Lovely,” the “Daystar,” “Wonderful Counselor,” the “Mighty God,” the “Everlasting Father,” the “Prince of Peace.” He wants to be embraced by His saints that forsake all to follow Him.
Has our church world forgotten that we can pass from “glory to glory” as we behold Him in our surrender? The apostle reminds us that it is the “open face” that beholds Him. An “open face” is the life without pretense, no façade, no show of flesh, and absolute in longing for Him. He has become our “Pearl of Great Price” and our “Bread of Life.” He speaks out from the pages of the Holy Word. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) He waits in the shadows of spiritual truth for the soul that longs only for Him. The Psalmist said, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” (Psalm 42:1)
Your family is desperate to see this glory upon your life. Your fellow workers may not understand the Bible, but they will understand the reflection of His glory in your face. All the beauty that others will see will bring honor to your Lord, but you will also find joy in His reflection that surpasses anything this world can offer you. He is the “… peace of God, which passeth all understanding …” (Philippians 4:7) He is “altogether lovely” and He waits to put His glow upon your face.