Visible Expressions of the Invisible God
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9, KJV)
A surprising but most remarkable aspect of our calling in the New Testament is to share in God’s glory. As 1 Thessalonians 2:12 declares, God calls us “unto his kingdom and glory.” However, we know God does not share His glory with anyone (Isaiah 42:8). So what is this calling to glory? In this devotional, I will discuss one aspect of this glory—the expression of the divine nature.
The term glory, as expected, is used to mean different things in the Old and New Testaments. But it does have a particular meaning when used of God and especially in the New Testament. It can be summed up as God Himself in display. And our calling into glory can be summed up as well as partaking in God’s nature, experiencing that nature, and expressing it. Today, we will discuss the expression aspect.
Let’s use the example of Jesus, the God-Man. Remember, human beings were created in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27), made in glory (Psalm 8:4-5). We fell short of that glory (Romans 3:23), but not completely out. Jesus is the glory of God—the fullness of God’s person displayed as a human being for everyone to see (Hebrews 1:3). That is exactly what the prophets said: “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5, KJV).
How did Jesus reveal that glory? Did He always have some supernatural light or fire around Him? No. Was it His Jewishness that revealed God’s glory? No! It was His person, character, and works. When people saw Him, they saw exactly how God looks like when He talks, moves, and interacts with the world and people (John 14:9). He was the perfect expression of the invisible God!
And here is the mind-blowing truth: God has united us with His Son, granting us the privilege of partaking in His nature (glory) (2 Peter 1:4), experiencing the God-life (glory), and most especially, becoming visible expressions of the invisible God, just like Jesus (Colossians 1:27).
What does this mean? People do not need to see God physically again to know how loving He is, how wise He is, or how powerful He is. They just need to meet with you. You are His full expression—of His power, wisdom, and person (Ephesians 3:10). What a life! What a calling! Thank You, Jesus!
Meditate
Please pause and think on this truth you have just read. Meditate upon it.
Apply the Word
Do you believe what you have just read about yourself? You see, as Christians, our first obstacle is knowing and understanding, and the next obstacle is believing. Do not let this just be some nice truth. Meditate upon it until your heart accepts it as yours.
Pray
Thank God for the incredible blessing of His presence within you. Ask Him to make you more aware of His Spirit, guiding you to reveal Him in all you do.
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