Glory Bound
Bible Reading: Romans 8
Romans 8:28-29, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
I just returned home after walking on the treadmill. Though we are fortunate to have a fitness center only a block away from our house, I don’t make use of it as much as I should. Funny thing about the treadmill, no matter how fast you walk or run, you’re not going anywhere. It’s possible for any of us to live life that way, running to and fro, oblivious to whether or not we are actually going anywhere.
The final destination for the believer in Christ is the glory of heaven. Verse 29 marks the fourth use of the term glory (or glorified) in this chapter. That’s our destiny. Though we endure suffering now with Christ, we do so “in order that we might be glorified with him” (Romans 8:17) and with the knowledge that the worth of glory that is to be revealed to us is far greater than “the sufferings of this present time” (Romans 8:18). We presently abide in a creation which eagerly longs for the day of our revealing in glory (Roman 8:19). The indwelling Spirit leads us along on our journey, praying for us “with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26). Every heartbeat, every breath, every step brings us one beat, one breath and one step closer to our heavenly destination.
Joy and blessings unimaginable await us in glory. We shall see Jesus and marvel at Him! We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He is. We’ll be reunited with those in Christ who have gone on before us! The troubles and trials of life will quickly evaporate in that place where there is no more death, nor mourning, nor crying, nor pain (Revelation 21:4). Neither shall there be any more sin “in that place where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13)!
Charles Spurgeon has commented on this, “The glorified weep no more, for all outward causes of grief are gone. There are no broken friendships, nor blighted prospects in heaven. Poverty, famine, peril, persecution, and slander, are unknown there. No pain distresses, no thought of death or bereavement saddens. They weep no more, for they are perfectly sanctified. No “evil heart of unbelief” prompts them to depart from the living God; they are without fault before his throne, and are fully conformed to his image. Well may they cease to mourn who have ceased to sin. They weep no more, because all fear of change is past. They know that they are eternally secure. Sin is shut out, and they are shut in. They dwell within a city which shall never be stormed; they bask in a sun which shall never set; they drink of a river which shall never dry; they pluck fruit from a tree which shall never wither. Countless cycles may revolve, but eternity shall not be exhausted, and while eternity endures, their immortality and blessedness shall co-exist with it. They are forever with the Lord. They weep no more, because every desire is fulfilled. They cannot wish for anything which they have not in possession. Eye and ear, heart and hand, judgment, imagination, hope, desire, will, all the faculties, are completely satisfied; and imperfect as our present ideas are of the things which God hath prepared for them that love him, yet we know enough, by the revelation of the Spirit, that the saints above are supremely blessed. The joy of Christ, which is an infinite fulness of delight, is in them. They bathe themselves in the bottomless, shoreless sea of infinite beatitude. That same joyful rest remains for us. It may not be far distant. Ere long the weeping willow shall be exchanged for the palm-branch of victory, and sorrow’s dewdrops will be transformed into the pearls of everlasting bliss. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
You’re not running on a treadmill going nowhere fast. God has put you on a path to glory! Because of this, He deserves all the praise, for it is all by His grace. He brought you up out of the pit of despair. He set you on the narrow way which leads to life. The Spirit has providentially led you along as He’s worked to set your gaze upon Jesus. Take heart, weary pilgrim, amidst your struggles, for just beyond the horizon lies your glorious destiny! Every step brings you one step closer!
O THAT WILL BE GLORY
When all my labors and trials are o’er,
And I am safe on that beautiful shore,
Just to be near the dear Lord I adore
Will through the ages be glory for me.
Refrain: O that will be glory for me,
Glory for me, glory for me;
When by His grace I shall look at His face,
That will be glory, be glory for me.
When by the gift of His infinite grace,
I am accorded in heaven a place,
Just to be there and to look on His face
Will through the ages be glory for me. [Refrain]
Friends will be there I have loved long ago;
Joy like a river around me will flow;
Yet just a smile from my Savior, I know,
Will through the ages be glory for me. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 