Grace is but Glory begun, and Glory is but Grace perfected.
- Jonathan Edwards
Modern life’s scramble for happiness has shifted from giving to getting, from becoming to acquiring. Such change coupled with rising levels of Me-ism, which is quickly becoming the default world view of many religious and skeptics alike, continually calls into question the reasonableness of faith.
With absolute proof of God’s existence and at least 10 major reasons to believe in the authority of Scripture, the question then becomes what is God really like? What does our Creator require? What, if anything, does Omnity offer in return?
Authors often place their most important words at the beginning and end of their work. Similarly, in a relay race, a coach’s most powerful runner is reserved for last. With this in mind it’s notable that the Lord’s Prayer should begin with “Our Father in heaven, your name is holy, your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven… Christ would have our attention immediately lifted from daily life to an eternal perspective emphasizing God as the ultimate Creative and Holy Ruler.
Jesus end’s His pattern for prayer “for yours is the kingdom, power and glory forever.” Here He reveals by logical progression that Omnity’s Kingdom emanates from His power, which in turn is derived from His glory. This begs the question, what exactly is God’s glory? One thing seems certain, like so much of creation, the components of glory are likely a trinity in honor of the Godhead.
Truth, Goodness and Beauty
Quiet reflection on God’s special revelation through Scripture and general revelation through nature strongly suggests His, and in point of fact all glory, is comprised of Truth, Goodness and Beauty:
1. Truth: At present, both that which is true and false exist together as ideas and/or acts. Yet Scripture warns that time and/or the end of it will reveal the truth of all things including our every thought and word, attitude and action. Amazingly, the Bible explains the same is true of heaven, disclosing that a Luciferian rebellion marred the history of eternity, the overflow of which is largely responsible for shaping our own.
For our part it is essential to recognize and remember that without Truth nothing lasts. Hence Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth and the life, promising to fill His disciples with “the Spirit of truth.” In fact, while the three aspects of glory support and flow into into each other, truth is both the foundational and defining element. So much so that those seeking goodness or beauty find themselves repeatedly at truth’s door.
Take for example the universal desire for romantic and/or erotic love. While such pursuits are not in and of themselves unholy, billions outside as well as inside the church have found themselves crossing forbidden lines into spiritual unhealthy, if not deadly, activities and lifestyles. Those longing to revel in love’s true goodness and beauty must realize only that which is rooted and cultivated in truth can last. Millions of divorces, billions of broken hearts and for many an eternity of regret all might have been avoided were this principal realized. As light dispels darkness, so truth eventually exposes and expels all lies.
2. Goodness: The Bible divulges that evil, originating from an Evil One, is allowed to exist for a variety of purposes some of which may only be known by God. What we do know is that Scripture promises such unimaginable eternal rewards for the faithful that there will be no question that the ends far exceed justifying the means.
Ironically, the diabolical assault against this aspect of glory is so relentless and widespread as to call into question the goodness, if not the very existence of God. Often seeming silent and distant, even in the face of suffering and want, Omnity’s initial response was the inconceivably gracious incarnation and costly atonement of Christ, a gift of which few fully appreciate the incalculable price. Then, going beyond “Emmanuel God with us” Pentecost brought “the promise of the Father” an offer of God’s Spirit to dwell within us evidenced by miraculous fruit and gifts.
Through such passages and more God’s goodness and it’s effect on fallen man can be glimpsed throughout Scripture. When Moses asked to see God’s glory the Lord replied “I will make my goodness pass before you” under the condition that Moses only be permitted to look on His back, since “No one can see me and live.” Yet the New Testament explains those who by goodness overcome deception and sin will walk with Christ in white robes of righteousness, beholding God face to face.
3. Beauty: Found in many forms, beauty is only temporarily “in the eyes of the beholder.” Far more than “nicely formed molecules” which are only skin deep, we long for glory that can be touched and reveled in without the limits of decay. While the average human being may hunger for truth and hope for goodness, in the developed world beauty is the commodity of choice for a variety of reasons.
For better and/or worse, beauty or what so often passes for it, is easily quantified. In seconds a superficial glance or lingering look can assess the outward appearance of people and things. Often we instantaneously feel some degree of attraction or repulsion simply by looking or hearing, touching, tasting or smelling. Add to this the fact that visual and auditory senses work nearly as well with media as in person and sensory saturation is all but assured.
Combine such an overload with hasty judgment, particularly when temptation and immorality are involved and we’ve got the receipt for the moral and spiritual disaster that began with the 60’s sexual revolution and continues full throttle, gaining mass and momentum. Yet uncorrupted beauty, particularly that of innocence and holiness, is meant to both rest on and act as a resting place for redeemed mankind. It’s because of this very fact that the counterfeit is so desirable.
Permeating every aspect of modern life it’s also subtly infiltrated many aspects of Churchianity. Perhaps even more so than other aspects of glory, what fallen and mortal mankind finds desirable is often repulsive from the vantage point of eternity and vice versa. This role reversal in nowhere more evident than in Isaiah’s description of Christ:
- “Who believes what we’ve heard and seen? Who would have thought God’s saving power would look like this? The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on him, on him.”
Considered from an eternal perspective, the three foundational and interdependent attributes of truth, goodness and beauty, or lack thereof, may well encapsulate everything. From the reward of God’s love to horrors of Divine wrath, from the height of human virtue to the depth of man’s vice.
In the case of love, truth discloses the motive, differentiating between self sacrifice and selfishness. Goodness exposes the process, judging between caring concern and objectification. Beauty reveals the results, displaying throughout eternity the outcome of the wisdom from above vs. below.
Scripture makes it plain that God is light with no shadow. As the Creator of 200 billion trillion suns, Omnity is a consuming fire Whom we are warned will soon melt the very heavens with a fervent heat:
- “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” 2 Peter 3:9-14 NIV
- “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.: Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV
- ”Write this to Philadelphia, to the Angel of the church. The Holy, the True—David’s key in his hand, opening doors no one can lock, locking doors no one can open—speaks: “I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn’t deny me when times were rough. “And watch as I take those who call themselves true believers but are nothing of the kind, pretenders whose true membership is in the club of Satan—watch as I strip off their pretensions and they’re forced to acknowledge it’s you that I’ve loved. “Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I’ll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test. “I’m on my way; I’ll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown. “I’ll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I’ll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God’s City—the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven—and my new Name. “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.” Revelation 3:7-13 The Message
- “Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says: “I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless. “Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see. “The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God! “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors! “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22 The Message
Counterfeit Glory
It can't be overstated that in the most foundation of ways we are all telling ourselves a story. By necessity, mortal and fragile beings such as ourselves must draw from personal experience and understanding, hopes and dreams, fears and imaginations to interpret our past and present as well as project possible futures. Based largely on the nature and nurture of our education and circumstance we seek peace and fulfillment through that most illusive of human pursuits, happiness.
Almost everyone can think of a dozen things that would make them happy, yet few take the time to fully grasp the nature of this universally sought state of mind and/or heart. Wealth and possessions, pleasures and diversions, sexuality and drugs... all produce degrees of happiness, yet these are necessarily limited in intensity and duration. They partially and temporarily fill a void. The problem is we leak. Gone too soon is the happiness we hoped to enjoy, often leaving behind increased cravings. Then of course is the little issue of facing the judgment of eternity.
Jesus' choice of "blessed" best translated "filled" in the Be-attitudes, speak volumes in regards to Scriptural insight into the human nature and our pursuit of happiness. Most equate love with happiness and each of the four kinds of love can certainly be "filling" in its own way. Many feel happiness when experiencing the splendor of beauty. From a mountain sunrise to ocean sunset, a baby's smile to a lovers form, we feel a sense of fullness in the moment. What few realize is that when seeking beauty what we’re really looking for is glory!
A Spanish proverb notes: “Where God has his church the Devil will have his chapel.” In regards to God’s glory, it’s little wonder the Enemy of our souls has sown counterfeit seeds. From the garden temptation of Adam and Eve to this very day, Satan seeks to supplant truth, goodness and beauty with a trinity of his own:
- “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.” Genesis 3:1-7 NIV
- “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:15-17 NIV
The attractive yet false hope offered by the trinity of sin has proved devastating to humanity. Within modern Christianity, it’s worldly wisdom is responsible for the delayed growth and mutation of countless perspectives and relationships. Truly a thorn in the flesh for all, up to and including those who truly desire to follow Christ, but find their efforts stymied by various forms of spiritual impasse. The apostle Paul detailed the dilemma this way:
- “What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary. But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?” Romans 7:15-24 The Message
Down through millennia billions have understandably, albeit mistakenly, attributed the above passage by the Apostle Paul as a confession of personal weakness after his conversion. Yet their is nothing in the Biblical record, from the Book of Acts to his final Epistle, to suggest this is the case. Rather, the portfolio of the most diligent of the apostles included 195 scars from being whipped 5 times within a lash of his life and 3 beatings with rods, not to mention being stoned prior to his voluntary imprisonment and martyrdom. This and more all testify to the miraculous constancy and endurance of Paul’s story. One begun by a miraculous encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, transforming even the chief of sinners into the great apostle through an act of the grace of God.
An act meant to be duplicated, even as Saul transformed into Paul beckons still, "Follow me as I follow Christ."
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