A Glorified Life and a Glorified Body

A Glorified Life and a Glorified Body

The common understanding is that believers will receive a glorified life at the resurrection of the dead or at the return of Christ. Yet according to Philippians 3:20-21 it is then that we will receive a glorified body. On the other hand, we obtain a glorified life now by being transformed daily, from glory to glory. We see this with all desirable clarity in 2 Corinthians 3:18.

In this way there is a connection, order, and harmony in this matter: those who have become partakers of a glorified life through transformation during their sojourn will receive a glorified body in the resurrection or at Christ’s return. Only a glorified life is suitable for a glorified body.

Sanctification is a tremendously great thing; it is something that everyone who is obedient partakes of. Glorification is an even stronger expression; it is an expression for an abundance of riches of all the fruits of the Spirit, of all the virtues of Christ.

As we see from Romans 8:30, to be glorified, to become partakers of the glory of Christ, is the end of salvation. When it concerns the inner glory, this glorification takes place now, in the days of our flesh! In harmony with this it is written that the truth which abides in us will be with us forever. 2 John 2.

We receive the glory within us now by being transformed during our time on earth, and we shall have it with us for all eternity. What a salvation this is!!! Here we need to be whole-hearted and have a living faith.

What is the real glory of Christ? First of all, it is the content of His life, His being, His characteristics, His virtues. The fact that there will also be an external glory is actually not in the least important, for the external glory is a consequence of the first and the greatest, namely, the inward glory. Therefore when Paul writes to the Corinthians that they looked only at the outward appearance (2 Cor. 10:7), it was an extremely bad testimony. However, he labored in hope for them just the same.

Our glorified life with Christ is hidden in this body of death which we now bear, even though many of its fruits are manifest. Now it is hidden in us, but afterwards it will be revealed to us. Rom. 8:18. Then He will be glorified in us. 2 Thess. 1:10. Nevertheless, while we are present in this body, the name of our Lord Jesus is glorified in us and we are glorified in Him. 2 Thess. 1:11-12.

“God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth . . . for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thess. 2:13-14. In other words, inward now, but outward later on.

Generally, people don’t even believe in victory over common, gross sin such as anger, lewdness, anxiety, etc., and they believe even less in transformation from glory to glory.

When there is talk about the gospel, they only think about the forgiveness of sins. That is the only salvation they believe in, so to speak. Then it is especially striking to notice what Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:11: “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.” That was the message (the gospel), with which the apostles went out into the world: God’s promises and word about salvation, grace, power, and help not only to receive forgiveness from committed sins, but to become a partaker of a life of perfect victory, even of the inner glory of the blessed God while we are still in this body.

Imagine that such a gospel of glory has been entrusted to us! Glory! Glory! Glory be to God and the Lamb!