The Born Identity - 3
Boasting In God
(Romans 5:1-2) "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."
Three results
Paul makes a statement that we have been justified. It means that the blood of Christ has cleaned you from all unrighteousness and you are declared innocent and guiltless. There are three results of this identity. We do not have to look for them, hope for them or wish for them. Paul is saying that we have them. What are they?
Boasting in God
(Romans 5:2) "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." The word 'rejoice' is translated into the word 'boast.' (1 Corinthians 1:31) "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." The psalms capture Paul's emphasis 'shout to the Lord' 'shout for joy' 'shout aloud to the God of Jacob' and 'shout aloud to the rock of my salvation' A person who boasts cannot help but rejoice but it is possible to rejoice without boasting. The concern is that we can be sedated in our rejoicing, boasting or shout for God. Another way of expressing Paul's intention is that we 'glory' in it. Paul was a man who rejoiced, boasted or gloried in whatever he was doing even before he was born again. From persecuting the church to serving God in the church Paul rejoiced, boasted and gloried in it. There was nothing half-hearted about what he did. People can lack conviction to be devoted and accomplish nothing for God throughout life.
What do we boast in?
(Romans 5:2) "…we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." Our boast is in the hope of his glory. We look forward to God's glory with a confidence shout. Paul is saying we have been justified through faith and have a legitimate boast in the glory of God. But what does it mean? Boasting in the hope of the glory of God includes three aspects:
#1 - We shall see the glory God
(Matthew 5:8) "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." We shall see the glory of God.
" Moses saw the finger of God write the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 34:29) "…his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord."
" Elijah caught a glimpse of God. He was told to stand at the mouth of a cave as God passed by. There was violent wind that tore open rocks and shattered mountains followed by and earthquake then fire. Elijah could not see God in these phenomena. Then there was a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:13) "When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face…"
Paul is saying that those who have been justified through faith will see the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 13:12) "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face." What we see right now is not just a reflection but a very poor reflection almost like an enigma. It is a fraction of what we shall see. When we see a soul come to Christ, healing in the body, prosperity with a purpose, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair or beauty instead of the ashes of circumstance, it is just a poor reflection of what we shall see. Paul says that when the scriptures are read the unbeliever has no idea because they are veiled from seeing. (2 Corinthians 3:16) "But when ever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." But even with the veil removed we still only see a poor reflection of what God wants us to see. (2 Corinthians 3:18) "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory…" There is a great deal to be said for a person of old age who has been walking with God for many years. The poor reflection has been increasing over the years. But even then, it is still a poor reflection. Paul tells us fourteen years before he wrote to the church in Corinth he had an experience that even he could not put into words. (2 Corinthians 12:4) "…was caught up to paradise…heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell…" We can only have a dim, shadowed and poor reflection of the glory of God. But those who have been justified through faith can rejoice, boast and shout aloud that they shall see the fullness of it one day.
#2 - We shall see the glory of Christ
Christ prays this in a lengthy prayer. (John 17:1) "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you." (John 17:5) "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with glory I had with you before the world began." He then concludes that all those who are justified through faith might see it, boast in it, rejoice in it and shout in it. (John 17:24) "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory…"
" Stephen had a glimpse of what we shall see. (Acts 7:55) "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." He was about to be stoned to death by a rabid crowd with all hell loosed against him. But what Stephen was more conscious of was not the immediate suffering but the sight of beautified glory. Stephen saw the hope of the glory of Christ.
" Paul had a glimpse of what we shall see. He was on his way to Damascus where the church met. (Acts 9:3) "Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him." We know that looking directly at the sun can damage the eye and momentarily blind us. But Paul saw something far brighter than the sun. It was not just light but personified light with a face. (Acts 9:5) "Who are you Lord?" The reply was personified. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." Paul saw the hope of the glory of Christ.
" Peter and John had a glimpse of what we shall see. They went with Christ up the Mountain of transfiguration. (Matthew 17:2) "…he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light." The glory of God was so attractive that Peter wanted to stay in it. Peter and John saw the glory of Christ.
Paul is saying that those who have been justified through faith will see the glory of God and the glory of his son the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to boast, rejoice and shout aloud because of this.
#3 - We shall be like him
Paul is also saying that you shall also be glorified. (Romans 8:30) "And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." What does this mean? (Romans 3:23) "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Adam walked with God literally in the cool of the day face to face with God. In the staggering description of creation God gives Adam privilege, blessing and responsibility. You cannot truly separate privilege and blessing without the balance of responsibility. (Genesis 1:28) "Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." God delegated a demonstrated authority to the crown of his creation - Adam. This is a glimpse of the glory we have fallen short of that was purchased back by Christ. Paul is saying that we should be rejoicing and boasting that we shall lay hold of this once more. (Romans 8:18) "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." This glory will be revealed in us and through us. If Adam had rule and dominion over all that God created, and that Christ has purchased back this demonstrated delegation of authority, what does eternity hold for us? Paul tells us that there is a great expectation from all that God created for our glorification. (Romans 8:19) "The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed." The trees of the field, fowl of the air, beasts of the field, fish in the sea and towering mountains all wait for the glory of God the Father and his Son to be fully revealed in us and through us.
Power of resurrection
What does this mean? Are we demi-gods? It means that we have been justified by faith therefore we have peace with God now, we stand in the riches of his grace now, but we have not been glorified yet. Our mortal bodies have not been redeemed yet. This is why Paul mentions 'present suffering' because we are subject to a fallen body. Paul is saying we should look forward to that day when there will be no more sorrow or pain. This is why the doctrine of physical resurrection must be preached to give us hope in the glory that is to come. (Philippians 3:20-21) "And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." We shall be like him. What is he like? He is glorified. (1 John 3:2) "…what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." This is why Paul tells us to boast in what is to come. (Luke 10:20) "…do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Christ is not telling us to throw a wet blanket over the excitement of what happens now because it is not an end in itself. It is a poor reflection at best.
It begins today
Although our boast is in the hope of the glory that is to come, it does begin now. (2 Corinthians 3:18) "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory…" While we are waiting for the coming of Christ we are already being changed from glory into glory. Eternal life is already in the heart of the Christian. If we have the life of Christ in us then there is something of his glory already in us. The fullness of this glory is not yet seen but do not underestimate the poor reflection. (Colossians 1:27) "…the riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." The seed of the glory that is to come is already in you.
God-driven church
We can become so concerned about getting reluctant people to come to church. But if you knew something of the glory of God others would see you are being changed from glory into glory or the ever increasing glory in you. People will come of their own accord. To evangelize the outsider the believer has to be dealt with first. Men's hearts are failing them for fear. People have lost their way not knowing where they are or where to turn. Are you as bewildered as they are? Or do they see the glory of God in you and through you? People will listen when it's all over you face. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but
on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Paul is saying that if you look as in a mirror you will see a poor reflection but do not underestimate the glory of God that is in you making everything else seem momentary.
If you would like to see previous transcripts you can find them here: Teaching Series
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