Reflecting His Glory

 

DEVOTION

THE 2^ND LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS

REFLECTING HIS GLORY

2 Thess 2:14-15

14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

NIV

It is interesting the reason we have been called. Maybe we should have included what we dealt with before regarding the sanctifying work of the Spirit, however, we did respond and we were called through the word, the gospel and now being a believer we see that we can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. This takes us to the very word of our Lord in his prayer to His and our Father as John records.

John 17:20-23

20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

NIV

We have absolute faith this prayer of Jesus was answered in full and we now share in his glory. Jesus has said it and it has to be true, He has given us the glory the Father gave Jesus. So then we would have to conclude that we have the glory of God within us. But that also includes that we are of like minds. Because Jesus and the Father are one that is they are both and have always been and will always be for the same purpose. That would mean that all of us believers should be all pulling in the same direction, having the same purpose, which should be to give all the glory to God. However, God has given us His glory and so we should reflect that glory to the world. What does reflecting the glory of God look like? That alone is an awesome thought. This word that is translated as glory can be used in so many ways, but it would appear that the intent of Jesus was that we would also be called into the everlasting presence of the glory of the Lord as he was after his resurrection and then ascension into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. However, the fact remains that we have been given that glory. Should not our lives reflect that glory? Should we not be living as though we are one with Christ and He with us just as He and the Father are one? We are living with the glory the Lord has given us. Let us live in unity reflecting his glory.