The Glory of God
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
The scriptures speak of the glory of God. In the Old Testament God’s glory often manifested itself in physical ways. God spoke to Moses from a burning bush and commanded him to remove his sandals because he was on holy ground (Exodus 3:5). The Lord went before the children of Israel in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). When the Tabernacle was dedicated in the wilderness, God’s glory filled the temple so that Moses was not able to enter the temple because of the overwhelming nature of God’s presence (Exodus 40:34, 35). When Isaiah the prophet saw a vision of God, not only did God’s glory fill the temple, but the seraphim declared that God was holy and “the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3). The Bible declares that God is the source of all being. His glory is so great that for any human being to see God is to die.
Where do we see the glory of God reflected today? One place is in the created order. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Creation reflects God’s glory in the vastness of space, the beauty of a flowery field, and the color of an ocean sunset. Human beings also reflect the glory of God because his image lives in us. Human personhood reflects the Creator in its creativity, imagination, and varied abilities. Greatest above all the gifts given to human beings is our capacity for relationship with God and the inner longing of the human heart to know him.
Why then is the glory of God not more evident to us? The biblical answer is that sin separates us from God and his glory. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. For that reason, no person can approach the holy, perfect, and righteous God. God dwells in the light that no sinful person can approach. The Bible describes God as a consuming fire that burns up all imperfections. For that reason, no human can safely approach the brightness of such a light. As sinful humans, we are separated from the holy, righteous, and glorious God.
What then can be done? The Christian faith answers that God has provided a solution. In his great mercy, God has approached us by entering into our humanity in Jesus Christ. What we could not do for ourselves, God has provided. Because we cannot approach a holy God, he came to us. This is the great mystery of the Incarnation. God came to us in Jesus Christ. The New Testament says that the glory of God indwelled the person of Jesus in such a way that its light did not blind or consume us. The Gospel of John says, “And we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” (John 1:14). This was the glory of God incarnate in human flesh and blood. On the Mount of Transfiguration the disciples briefly glimpsed a portion of the full glory of Jesus Christ (Matthew 17:2). When Jesus ascended after his resurrection, he ascended to the glory that he had with the Father before his Incarnation. It is the glorious Christ who will one day return to judge the heavens and the earth.
Where is the glory of Christ today? Along with creation, it is in the church and in God’s people. Jesus said that we are to “let our light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Though it is a “treasure in earthen vessels,” we bear the light and glory of Christ to those around us. This is a great privilege and wonder. Who are we that God should make himself known to others through us?